Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Oregon: Infrastructure Requirements for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards, 6044-6054 [2012-2779]
Download as PDF
6044
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 7, 2012 / Proposed Rules
particular, the Act addresses actions
that may result in the expenditure by a
State, local, or tribal government, in the
aggregate, or by the private sector of
$100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or
more in any one year. Though this
proposed rule will not result in such
expenditure, we do discuss the effects of
this rule elsewhere in this preamble.
Taking of Private Property
This proposed rule would not cause a
taking of private property or otherwise
have taking implications under
Executive Order 12630, Governmental
Actions and Interference with
Constitutionally Protected Property
Rights.
Civil Justice Reform
This proposed rule meets applicable
standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of
Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice
Reform, to minimize litigation,
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce
burden.
Protection of Children
We have analyzed this proposed rule
under Executive Order 13045,
Protection of Children from
Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks. This rule is not an economically
significant rule and would not create an
environmental risk to health or risk to
safety that might disproportionately
affect children.
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Indian Tribal Governments
This proposed rule does not have
tribal implications under Executive
Order 13175, Consultation and
Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments, because it would not have
a substantial direct effect on one or
more Indian tribes, on the relationship
between the Federal Government and
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities between the
Federal Government and Indian tribes.
Energy Effects
We have analyzed this proposed rule
under Executive Order 13211, Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use. We have
determined that it is not a ‘‘significant
energy action’’ under that order because
it is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’
under Executive Order 12866 and is not
likely to have a significant adverse effect
on the supply, distribution, or use of
energy. The Administrator of the Office
of Information and Regulatory Affairs
has not designated it as a significant
energy action. Therefore, it does not
require a Statement of Energy Effects
under Executive Order 13211.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Feb 06, 2012
Jkt 226001
Technical Standards
The National Technology Transfer
and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15
U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use
voluntary consensus standards in their
regulatory activities unless the agency
provides Congress, through the Office of
Management and Budget, with an
explanation of why using these
standards would be inconsistent with
applicable law or otherwise impractical.
Voluntary consensus standards are
technical standards (e.g., specifications
of materials, performance, design, or
operation; test methods; sampling
procedures; and related management
systems practices) that are developed or
adopted by voluntary consensus
standards bodies.
This proposed rule does not use
technical standards. Therefore, we did
not consider the use of voluntary
consensus standards.
Environment
We have analyzed this proposed rule
under Department of Homeland
Security Management Directive 023–01,
and Commandant Instruction
M16475.lD which guides the Coast
Guard in complying with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321–4370f), and
have made a preliminary determination
that this action is one of a category of
actions which do not individually or
cumulatively have a significant effect on
the human environment because it
simply promulgates the operating
regulations or procedures for
drawbridges. We seek any comments or
information that may lead to the
discovery of a significant environmental
impact from this proposed rule.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117
Bridges.
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to
amend 33 CFR part 117 as follows:
PART 117—DRAWBRIDGE
OPERATION REGULATIONS
1. The authority citation for part 117
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 499; 33 CFR 1.05–1;
Department of Homeland Security Delegation
No. 0170.1.
2. Revise paragraph § 117.237(d) to
read as follows:
§ 117.237
Christina River
*
*
*
*
*
(d) The following drawbridges at
Wilmington shall operate as follows:
(1) The Norfolk Southern Railroad
Bridge, mile 4.1, shall be maintained in
the closed-to-navigation position;
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
(2) The Norfolk Southern Railroad
Bridge, mile 4.2, shall be maintained in
the open-to-navigation position.
*
*
*
*
*
Dated: January 12, 2012.
William D. Lee,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander,
Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2012–2789 Filed 2–6–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–15–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R10–OAR–2011–0716, FRL–9628–1]
Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; Oregon:
Infrastructure Requirements for the
1997 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient
Air Quality Standards
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
EPA is proposing to approve
the State Implementation Plan (SIP)
submittal from the State of Oregon to
demonstrate that the SIP meets the
requirements of section 110(a)(1) and (2)
of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) promulgated for ozone on July
18, 1997. EPA is proposing to find that
the current Oregon SIP meets the
following 110(a)(2) infrastructure
elements for the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS: (A), (B), (C), (D)(ii), (E), (F), (G),
(H), (J), (K), (L), and (M).
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before March 8, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R10–
OAR–2011–0716, by any of the
following methods:
• www.regulations.gov: Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• Email: R10–
Public_Comments@epa.gov
• Mail: Kristin Hall, EPA Region 10,
Office of Air, Waste and Toxics (AWT–
107), 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900,
Seattle, WA 98101.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: EPA Region
10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900,
Seattle, WA 98101. Attention: Kristin
Hall, Office of Air, Waste and Toxics,
AWT—107. Such deliveries are only
accepted during normal hours of
operation, and special arrangements
should be made for deliveries of boxed
information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–R10–OAR–2011–
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\07FEP1.SGM
07FEP1
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 7, 2012 / Proposed Rules
0716. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change and may be
made available online at
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through www.regulations.gov
or email. The www.regulations.gov Web
site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system,
which means EPA will not know your
identity or contact information unless
you provide it in the body of your
comment. If you send an email
comment directly to EPA without going
through www.regulations.gov your email
address will be automatically captured
and included as part of the comment
that is placed in the public docket and
made available on the Internet. If you
submit an electronic coment, EPA
recommends that you include your
name and other contact information in
the body of your comment and with any
disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA
cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact
you for clarification, EPA may not be
able to consider your comment.
Electronic files should avoid the use of
special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or
viruses.
Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the www.regulations.gov
index. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly
available, e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, is not placed on
the Internet and will be publicly
available only in hard copy. Publicly
available docket materials are available
either electronically in
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy
during normal business hours at the
Office of Air, Waste and Toxics, EPA
Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle,
WA 98101.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kristin Hall at telephone number: (206)
553–6357, email address:
hall.kristin@epa.gov, or the above EPA,
Region 10 address.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document wherever
‘‘we’’, ‘‘us’’ or ‘‘our’’ are used, we mean
EPA. Information is organized as
follows:
Table of Contents
I. What action is EPA proposing?
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Feb 06, 2012
Jkt 226001
II. What is the background for the action that
EPA is proposing?
III. What infrastructure elements are required
under sections 110(a)(1) and (2)?
IV. What is the scope of action on
infrastructure submittals?
V. What is EPA’s analysis of Oregon’s
submittal?
VI. Scope of Proposed Action
VII. Proposed Action
VIII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. What action is EPA proposing?
EPA is proposing to approve the State
Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal
from the State of Oregon to demonstrate
that the SIP meets the requirements of
section 110(a)(1) and (2) of the Clean Air
Act (CAA) for the National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS)
promulgated for ozone on July 18, 1997.
EPA is proposing to find that the current
Oregon SIP meets the following
110(a)(2) infrastructure elements for the
1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS: (A), (B), (C),
(D)(ii), (E), (F), (G), (H), (J), (K), (L), and
(M).
Section 110(a)(1) of the CAA requires
that each state, after a new or revised
NAAQS is promulgated, review their
SIPs to ensure that they meet the
requirements of the ‘‘infrastructure’’
elements of section 110(a)(2). The State
of Oregon submitted a certification to
EPA on September 25, 2008, certifying
that Oregon’s SIP meets the
infrastructure obligations for the 1997 8hour ozone and 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS.
The certification included an analysis of
Oregon’s SIP as it relates to each section
of the infrastructure requirements with
regard to the 1997 8-hour ozone and
1997 PM2.5 NAAQS.
At this time, EPA is acting on the
infrastructure SIP submittal for the
110(a)(2) required elements as they
relate to the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
This action does not address
infrastructure requirements with respect
to the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS which EPA
intends to act on at a later time. This
action also does not address the
requirements of 110(a)(2)(D(i) for the
1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS which were
previously approved by EPA in three
separate actions on June 9, 2011 (76 FR
33650), July 5, 2011 (76 FR 38997), and
November 9, 2011 (76 FR 80747).
II. What is the background for the
action that EPA is proposing?
On July 18, 1997, EPA promulgated a
new NAAQS for ozone. EPA revised the
ozone NAAQS to provide an 8-hour
averaging period which replaced the
previous 1-hour averaging period, and
the level of the NAAQS was changed
from 0.12 parts per million (ppm) to
0.08 ppm (62 FR 38856).
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
6045
The CAA requires SIPs meeting the
requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and
(2) be submitted by states within 3 years
after promulgation of a new or revised
standard. Sections 110(a)(1) and (2)
require states to address basic SIP
requirements, including emissions
inventories, monitoring, and modeling
to assure attainment and maintenance of
the standards, so-called ‘‘infrastructure’’
requirements. States were required to
submit such SIPs for the 1997 8-hour
ozone NAAQS to EPA no later than June
2000. However, intervening litigation
over the 1997 8-hour ozone standard
created uncertainty about how to
proceed, and many states did not
provide the required infrastructure SIP
submissions for the newly promulgated
standard.
To help states meet this statutory
requirement for the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS, EPA issued guidance to
address infrastructure SIP elements
under section 110(a)(1) and (2).1 This
guidance provides that to the extent an
existing SIP already meets the section
110(a)(2) requirements, states need only
to certify that fact via a letter to EPA.
Section 110(a) imposes the obligation
upon states to make a SIP submission to
EPA for a new or revised NAAQS, but
the contents of that submission may
vary depending upon the facts and
circumstances. In particular, the data
and analytical tools available at the time
the state develops and submits the SIP
for a new or revised NAAQS affects the
content of the submission. The contents
of such SIP submissions may also vary
depending upon what provisions the
state’s federally approved SIP already
contains. In the case of the 1997 8-hour
ozone NAAQS, states typically have met
the basic program elements required in
section 110(a)(2) through earlier SIP
submissions in connection with
previous ozone standards.
III. What infrastructure elements are
required under sections 110(a)(1) and
(2)?
Section 110(a)(1) provides the
procedural and timing requirements for
SIP submissions after a new or revised
NAAQS is promulgated. Section
110(a)(2) lists specific elements that
states must meet for ‘‘infrastructure’’ SIP
requirements related to a newly
established or revised NAAQS. These
requirements include SIP infrastructure
elements such as modeling, monitoring,
1 William T. Harnett, Director, Air Quality Policy
Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards. ‘‘Guidance on SIP Elements Required
Under Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) for the 1997 8-hour
Ozone and PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality
Standards.’’ Memorandum to EPA Air Division
Directors, Regions I–X, October 2, 2007.
E:\FR\FM\07FEP1.SGM
07FEP1
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
6046
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 7, 2012 / Proposed Rules
and emissions inventories that are
designed to assure attainment and
maintenance of the NAAQS. The
requirements, with their corresponding
CAA subsection, are listed below:
• 110(a)(2)(A): Emission limits and
other control measures.
• 110(a)(2)(B): Ambient air quality
monitoring/data system.
• 110(a)(2)(C): Program for
enforcement of control measures.
• 110(a)(2)(D): Interstate transport.
• 110(a)(2)(E): Adequate resources.
• 110(a)(2)(F): Stationary source
monitoring system.
• 110(a)(2)(G): Emergency power.
• 110(a)(2)(H): Future SIP revisions.
• 110(a)(2)(I): Areas designated
nonattainment and meet the applicable
requirements of part D.
• 110(a)(2)(J): Consultation with
government officials; public
notification; and Prevention of
Significant Deterioration (PSD) and
visibility protection.
• 110(a)(2)(K): Air quality modeling/
data.
• 110(a)(2)(L): Permitting fees.
• 110(a)(2)(M): Consultation/
participation by affected local entities.
EPA’s October 2, 2007 guidance
clarified that two elements identified in
section 110(a)(2) are not governed by the
3 year submission deadline of section
110(a)(1) because SIPs incorporating
necessary local nonattainment area
controls are not due within 3 years after
promulgation of a new or revised
NAAQS, but rather due at the time the
nonattainment area plan requirements
are due pursuant to CAA section 172.
These requirements are: (i) Submissions
required by section 110(a)(2)(C) to the
extent that subsection refers to a permit
program as required in part D, Title I of
the CAA, and (ii) submissions required
by section 110(a)(2)(I) which pertain to
the nonattainment planning
requirements of part D, Title I of the
CAA. As a result, this action does not
address infrastructure elements related
to section 110(a)(2)(C) with respect to
nonattainment new source review (NSR)
or 110(a)(2)(I).
This action also does not address the
requirements of 110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the
1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS which have
been addressed by three separate actions
issued by EPA. On June 9, 2011, EPA
approved the SIP revision submitted by
the Oregon Department of
Environmental Quality (ODEQ) to
address specific provisions of Clean Air
Act section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 1997
8-hour ozone NAAQS including two of
the four prongs of 110(a)(2)(D)(i):
significant contribution to
nonattainment of these NAAQS in any
other state (prong 1) and interference
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Feb 06, 2012
Jkt 226001
with maintenance of these NAAQS by
any other state (prong 2) (76 FR 33650).
Subsequently, on July 5, 2011, EPA
approved portions of a SIP revision
submitted by ODEQ as meeting the
requirements of the fourth prong of
Clean Air Act section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) as
it applies to visibility for the 1997 8hour ozone NAAQS (prong 4) (76 FR
38997). Finally, on November 9, 2011,
EPA approved an Oregon SIP revision
that addressed among other things,
interference with any other state’s
required measures to prevent significant
deterioration (PSD) of its air quality
with respect to the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS (prong 3) (76 FR 80747).
Furthermore, EPA interprets the
section 110(a)(2)(J) provision on
visibility as not being triggered by a new
NAAQS because the visibility
requirements in part C are not changed
by a new NAAQS.
IV. What is the scope of action on
infrastructure submittals?
EPA is currently acting upon SIPs that
address the infrastructure requirements
of CAA section 110(a)(1) and (2) for
ozone and PM2.5 NAAQS for various
states across the country. Commenters
on EPA’s recent proposals for some
states raised concerns about EPA
statements that it was not addressing
certain substantive issues in the context
of acting on those infrastructure SIP
submissions.2 The commenters
specifically raised concerns involving
provisions in existing SIPs and with
EPA’s statements in other proposals that
it would address two issues separately
and not as part of actions on the
infrastructure SIP submissions: (i)
Existing provisions related to excess
emissions during periods of start-up,
shutdown, or malfunction at sources
that may be contrary to the CAA and
EPA’s policies addressing such excess
emissions (‘‘SSM’’) and (ii) existing
provisions related to ‘‘director’s
variance’’ or ‘‘director’s discretion’’ that
purport to permit revisions to SIP
approved emissions limits with limited
public process or without requiring
further approval by EPA, that may be
contrary to the CAA (‘‘director’s
discretion’’). EPA notes that there are
two other substantive issues for which
EPA likewise stated in other proposals
that it would address the issues
2 See, Comments of Midwest Environmental
Defense Center, dated May 31, 2011. Docket # EPA–
R05–OAR–2007–1179 (adverse comments on
proposals for three states in Region 5). EPA notes
that these public comments on another proposal are
not relevant to this rulemaking and do not have to
be directly addressed in this rulemaking. EPA will
respond to these comments in the appropriate
rulemaking action to which they apply.
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
separately: (i) Existing provisions for
minor source new source review
programs that may be inconsistent with
the requirements of the CAA and EPA’s
regulations that pertain to such
programs (‘‘minor source NSR’’) and (ii)
existing provisions for Prevention of
Significant Deterioration programs that
may be inconsistent with current
requirements of EPA’s ‘‘Final NSR
Improvement Rule,’’ 67 FR 80,186
(December 31, 2002), as amended by 72
FR 32,526 (June 13, 2007) (‘‘NSR
Reform’’). In light of the comments, EPA
believes that its statements in various
proposed actions on infrastructure SIPs
with respect to these four individual
issues should be explained in greater
depth. It is important to emphasize that
EPA is taking the same position with
respect to these four substantive issues
in this action on the infrastructure SIP
for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS
submittal from Oregon.
EPA intended the statements in the
other proposals concerning these four
issues merely to be informational, and
to provide general notice of the
potential existence of provisions within
the existing SIPs of some states that
might require future corrective action.
EPA did not want states, regulated
entities, or members of the public to be
under the misconception that the
Agency’s approval of the infrastructure
SIP submission of a given state should
be interpreted as a reapproval of certain
types of provisions that might exist
buried in the larger existing SIP for such
state. Thus, for example, EPA explicitly
noted that the Agency believes that
some states may have existing SIP
approved SSM provisions that are
contrary to the CAA and EPA policy,
but that ‘‘in this rulemaking, EPA is not
proposing to approve or disapprove any
existing State provisions with regard to
excess emissions during SSM of
operations at facilities.’’ EPA further
explained, for informational purposes,
that ‘‘EPA plans to address such State
regulations in the future.’’ EPA made
similar statements, for similar reasons,
with respect to the director’s discretion,
minor source NSR, and NSR Reform
issues. EPA’s objective was to make
clear that approval of an infrastructure
SIP for these ozone and PM2.5 NAAQS
should not be construed as explicit or
implicit reapproval of any existing
provisions that relate to these four
substantive issues. EPA is reiterating
that position in this action on the 1997
8-hour ozone infrastructure SIP for
Oregon.
Unfortunately, the commenters and
others evidently interpreted these
statements to mean that EPA considered
action upon the SSM provisions and the
E:\FR\FM\07FEP1.SGM
07FEP1
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 7, 2012 / Proposed Rules
other three substantive issues to be
integral parts of acting on an
infrastructure SIP submission, and
therefore that EPA was merely
postponing taking final action on the
issues in the context of the
infrastructure SIPs. This was not EPA’s
intention. To the contrary, EPA only
meant to convey its awareness of the
potential for certain types of
deficiencies in existing SIPs, and to
prevent any misunderstanding that it
was reapproving any such existing
provisions. EPA’s intention was to
convey its position that the statute does
not require that infrastructure SIPs
address these specific substantive issues
in existing SIPs and that these issues
may be dealt with separately, outside
the context of acting on the
infrastructure SIP submission of a state.
To be clear, EPA did not mean to imply
that it was not taking a full final agency
action on the infrastructure SIP
submission with respect to any
substantive issue that EPA considers to
be a required part of acting on such
submissions under section 110(k) or
under section 110(c). Given the
confusion evidently resulting from
EPA’s statements in those other
proposals, however, we want to explain
more fully the Agency’s reasons for
concluding that these four potential
substantive issues in existing SIPs may
be addressed separately from actions on
infrastructure SIP submissions.
The requirement for the SIP
submissions at issue arises out of CAA
section 110(a)(1). That provision
requires that states must make a SIP
submission ‘‘within 3 years (or such
shorter period as the Administrator may
prescribe) after the promulgation of a
national primary ambient air quality
standard (or any revision thereof)’’ and
that these SIPS are to provide for the
‘‘implementation, maintenance, and
enforcement’’ of such NAAQS. Section
110(a)(2) includes a list of specific
elements that ‘‘[e]ach such plan’’
submission must meet. EPA has
historically referred to these particular
submissions that states must make after
the promulgation of a new or revised
NAAQS as ‘‘infrastructure SIPs.’’ This
specific term does not appear in the
statute, but EPA uses the term to
distinguish this particular type of SIP
submission designed to address basic
structural requirements of a SIP from
other types of SIP submissions designed
to address other different requirements,
such as ‘‘nonattainment SIP’’
submissions required to address the
nonattainment planning requirements of
part D, ‘‘regional haze SIP’’ submissions
required to address the visibility
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Feb 06, 2012
Jkt 226001
protection requirements of CAA section
169A, new source review permitting
program submissions required to
address the requirements of part D, and
a host of other specific types of SIP
submissions that address other specific
matters.
Although section 110(a)(1) addresses
the timing and general requirements for
these infrastructure SIPs, and section
110(a)(2) provides more details
concerning the required contents of
these infrastructure SIPs, EPA believes
that many of the specific statutory
provisions are facially ambiguous. In
particular, the list of required elements
provided in section 110(a)(2) contains a
wide variety of disparate provisions,
some of which pertain to required legal
authority, some of which pertain to
required substantive provisions, and
some of which pertain to requirements
for both authority and substantive
provisions.3 Some of the elements of
section 110(a)(2) are relatively
straightforward, but others clearly
require interpretation by EPA through
rulemaking, or recommendations
through guidance, in order to give
specific meaning for a particular
NAAQS.4
Notwithstanding that section 110(a)(2)
provides that ‘‘each’’ SIP submission
must meet the list of requirements
therein, EPA has long noted that this
literal reading of the statute is internally
inconsistent, insofar as section
110(a)(2)(I) pertains to nonattainment
SIP requirements that could not be met
on the schedule provided for these SIP
submissions in section 110(a)(1).5 This
illustrates that EPA must determine
which provisions of section 110(a)(2)
may be applicable for a given
infrastructure SIP submission.
3 For example, section 110(a)(2)(E) provides that
states must provide assurances that they have
adequate legal authority under state and local law
to carry out the SIP; section 110(a)(2)(C) provides
that states must have a substantive program to
address certain sources as required by part C of the
CAA; section 110(a)(2)(G) provides that states must
have both legal authority to address emergencies
and substantive contingency plans in the event of
such an emergency.
4 For example, section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) requires
EPA to be sure that each state’s SIP contains
adequate provisions to prevent significant
contribution to nonattainment of the NAAQS in
other states. This provision contains numerous
terms that require substantial rulemaking by EPA in
order to determine such basic points as what
constitutes significant contribution. See, e.g., ‘‘Rule
To Reduce Interstate Transport of Fine Particulate
Matter and Ozone (Clean Air Interstate Rule);
Revisions to Acid Rain Program; Revisions to the
NOx SIP Call; Final Rule,’’ 70 FR 25,162 (May 12,
2005) (defining, among other things, the phrase
‘‘contribute significantly to nonattainment’’).
5 See, e.g., Id., 70 FR 25,162, at 63–65 (May 12,
2005) (explaining relationship between timing
requirement of section 110(a)(2)(D) versus section
110(a)(2)(I)).
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
6047
Similarly, EPA has previously decided
that it could take action on different
parts of the larger, general
‘‘infrastructure SIP’’ for a given NAAQS
without concurrent action on all
subsections, such as section
110(a)(2)(D)(i), because the Agency
bifurcated the action on these latter
‘‘interstate transport’’ provisions within
section 110(a)(2) and worked with states
to address each of the four prongs of
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) with substantive
administrative actions proceeding on
different tracks with different
schedules.6 This illustrates that EPA
may conclude that subdividing the
applicable requirements of section
110(a)(2) into separate SIP actions may
sometimes be appropriate for a given
NAAQS where a specific substantive
action is necessitated, beyond a mere
submission addressing basic structural
aspects of the state’s SIP. Finally, EPA
notes that not every element of section
110(a)(2) would be relevant, or as
relevant, or relevant in the same way,
for each new or revised NAAQS and the
attendant infrastructure SIP submission
for that NAAQS. For example, the
monitoring requirements that might be
necessary for purposes of section
110(a)(2)(B) for one NAAQS could be
very different than what might be
necessary for a different pollutant. Thus,
the content of an infrastructure SIP
submission to meet this element from a
state might be very different for an
entirely new NAAQS, versus a minor
revision to an existing NAAQS.7
Similarly, EPA notes that other types
of SIP submissions required under the
statute also must meet the requirements
of section 110(a)(2), and this also
demonstrates the need to identify the
applicable elements for other SIP
submissions. For example,
nonattainment SIPs required by part D
likewise have to meet the relevant
subsections of section 110(a)(2) such as
section 110(a)(2)(A) or (E). By contrast,
it is clear that nonattainment SIPs
would not need to meet the portion of
section 110(a)(2)(C) that pertains to part
C, i.e., the PSD requirements applicable
in attainment areas. Nonattainment SIPs
6 EPA issued separate guidance to states with
respect to SIP submissions to meet section
110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 1997 ozone and 1997 PM2.5
NAAQS. See, ‘‘Guidance for State Implementation
Plan (SIP) Submissions to Meet Current
Outstanding Obligations Under Section
110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 8-Hour Ozone and PM2.5
National Ambient Air Quality Standards,’’ from
William T. Harnett, Director Air Quality Policy
Division OAQPS, to Regional Air Division Director,
Regions I–X, dated August 15, 2006.
7 For example, implementation of the 1997PM
2.5
NAAQS required the deployment of a system of
new monitors to measure ambient levels of that new
indicator species for the new NAAQS.
E:\FR\FM\07FEP1.SGM
07FEP1
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
6048
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 7, 2012 / Proposed Rules
required by part D also would not need
to address the requirements of section
110(a)(2)(G) with respect to emergency
episodes, as such requirements would
not be limited to nonattainment areas.
As this example illustrates, each type of
SIP submission may implicate some
subsections of section 110(a)(2) and not
others.
Given the potential for ambiguity of
the statutory language of section
110(a)(1) and (2), EPA believes that it is
appropriate for EPA to interpret that
language in the context of acting on the
infrastructure SIPs for a given NAAQS.
Because of the inherent ambiguity of the
list of requirements in section 110(a)(2),
EPA has adopted an approach in which
it reviews infrastructure SIPs against
this list of elements ‘‘as applicable.’’ In
other words, EPA assumes that Congress
could not have intended that each and
every SIP submission, regardless of the
purpose of the submission or the
NAAQS in question, would meet each
of the requirements, or meet each of
them in the same way. EPA elected to
use guidance to make recommendations
for infrastructure SIPs for these ozone
and PM2.5 NAAQS.
On October 2, 2007, EPA issued
guidance making recommendations for
the infrastructure SIP submissions for
both the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS and
the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS.8 Within this
guidance document, EPA described the
duty of states to make these submissions
to meet what the Agency characterized
as the ‘‘infrastructure’’ elements for
SIPs, which it further described as the
‘‘basic SIP requirements, including
emissions inventories, monitoring, and
modeling to assure attainment and
maintenance of the standards.’’ 9 As
further identification of these basic
structural SIP requirements,
‘‘attachment A’’ to the guidance
document included a short description
of the various elements of section
110(a)(2) and additional information
about the types of issues that EPA
considered germane in the context of
such infrastructure SIPs. EPA
emphasized that the description of the
basic requirements listed on attachment
A was not intended ‘‘to constitute an
interpretation of’’ the requirements, and
was merely a ‘‘brief description of the
required elements. ’’ 10 EPA also stated
its belief that with one exception, these
8 See, ‘‘Guidance on SIP Elements Required
Under Section 110(a)(1) and (2) for the 1997 8-hour
Ozone and PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality
Standards,’’ from William T. Harnett, Director Air
Quality Policy Division, to Air Division Directors,
Regions I–X, dated October 2, 2007 (the ‘‘2007
Guidance’’).
9 Id., at page 2.
10 Id., at attachment A, page 1.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Feb 06, 2012
Jkt 226001
requirements were ‘‘relatively self
explanatory, and past experience with
SIPs for other NAAQS should enable
States to meet these requirements with
assistance from EPA Regions.’’ 11 For the
one exception to that general
assumption, however, i.e., how states
should proceed with respect to the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(G) for
the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS, EPA gave much
more specific recommendations. But for
other infrastructure SIP submittals, and
for certain elements of the submittals for
the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS, EPA assumed
that each State would work with its
corresponding EPA regional office to
refine the scope of a State’s submittal
based on an assessment of how the
requirements of section 110(a)(2) should
reasonably apply to the basic structure
of the State’s SIP for the NAAQS in
question.
On September 25, 2009, EPA issued
guidance to make recommendations to
states with respect to the infrastructure
SIPs for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.12 In the
2009 Guidance, EPA addressed a
number of additional issues that were
not germane to the infrastructure SIPs
for the 1997 8-hour ozone and 1997
PM2.5 NAAQS, but were germane to
these SIP submissions for the 2006
PM2.5 NAAQS, e.g., the requirements of
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) that EPA had
bifurcated from the other infrastructure
elements for those specific 1997 ozone
and PM2.5 NAAQS. Significantly,
neither the 2007 Guidance nor the 2009
Guidance explicitly referred to the SSM,
director’s discretion, minor source NSR,
or NSR Reform issues as among specific
substantive issues EPA expected states
to address in the context of the
infrastructure SIPs, nor did EPA give
any more specific recommendations
with respect to how states might address
such issues even if they elected to do so.
The SSM and director’s discretion
issues implicate section 110(a)(2)(A),
and the minor source NSR and NSR
Reform issues implicate section
110(a)(2)(C). In the 2007 Guidance and
the 2009 Guidance, however, EPA did
not indicate to states that it intended to
interpret these provisions as requiring a
11 Id., at page 4. In retrospect, the concerns raised
by commenters with respect to EPA’s approach to
some substantive issues indicates that the statute is
not so ‘‘self explanatory,’’ and indeed is sufficiently
ambiguous that EPA needs to interpret it in order
to explain why these substantive issues do not need
to be addressed in the context of infrastructure SIPs
and may be addressed at other times and by other
means.
12 See, ‘‘Guidance on SIP Elements Required
Under Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) for the 2006 24Hour Fine Particle (PM2.5) National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS),’’ from William T,
Harnett, Director Air Quality Policy Division, to
Regional Air Division Directors, Regions I–X, dated
September 25, 2009 (the ‘‘2009 Guidance’’).
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
substantive submission to address these
specific issues in existing SIP provisions
in the context of the infrastructure SIPs
for these NAAQS. Instead, EPA’s 2007
Guidance merely indicated its belief
that the states should make submissions
in which they established that they have
the basic SIP structure necessary to
implement, maintain, and enforce the
NAAQS. EPA believes that states can
establish that they have the basic SIP
structure, notwithstanding that there
may be potential deficiencies within the
existing SIP. Thus, EPA’s proposals for
other states mentioned these issues not
because the Agency considers them
issues that must be addressed in the
context of an infrastructure SIP as
required by section 110(a)(1) and (2),
but rather because EPA wanted to be
clear that it considers these potential
existing SIP problems as separate from
the pending infrastructure SIP actions.
The same holds true for this action on
the 1997 8-hour ozone infrastructure SIP
for Oregon.
EPA believes that this approach to the
infrastructure SIP requirement is
reasonable, because it would not be
feasible to read section 110(a)(1) and (2)
to require a top to bottom, stem to stern,
review of each and every provision of an
existing SIP merely for purposes of
assuring that the state in question has
the basic structural elements for a
functioning SIP for a new or revised
NAAQS. Because SIPs have grown by
accretion over the decades as statutory
and regulatory requirements under the
CAA have evolved, they may include
some outmoded provisions and
historical artifacts that, while not fully
up to date, nevertheless may not pose a
significant problem for the purposes of
‘‘implementation, maintenance, and
enforcement’’ of a new or revised
NAAQS when EPA considers the overall
effectiveness of the SIP. To the contrary,
EPA believes that a better approach is
for EPA to determine which specific SIP
elements from section 110(a)(2) are
applicable to an infrastructure SIP for a
given NAAQS, and to focus attention on
those elements that are most likely to
need a specific SIP revision in light of
the new or revised NAAQS. Thus, for
example, EPA’s 2007 Guidance
specifically directed states to focus on
the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(G)
for the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS because of
the absence of underlying EPA
regulations for emergency episodes for
this NAAQS and an anticipated absence
of relevant provisions in existing SIPs.
Finally, EPA believes that its
approach is a reasonable reading of
section 110(a)(1) and (2) because the
statute provides other avenues and
mechanisms to address specific
E:\FR\FM\07FEP1.SGM
07FEP1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 7, 2012 / Proposed Rules
substantive deficiencies in existing SIPs.
These other statutory tools allow the
Agency to take appropriate tailored
action, depending upon the nature and
severity of the alleged SIP deficiency.
Section 110(k)(5) authorizes EPA to
issue a ‘‘SIP call’’ whenever the Agency
determines that a state’s SIP is
substantially inadequate to attain or
maintain the NAAQS, to mitigate
interstate transport, or otherwise to
comply with the CAA.13 Section
110(k)(6) authorizes EPA to correct
errors in past actions, such as past
approvals of SIP submissions.14
Significantly, EPA’s determination that
an action on the infrastructure SIP is not
the appropriate time and place to
address all potential existing SIP
problems does not preclude the
Agency’s subsequent reliance on
provisions in section 110(a)(2) as part of
the basis for action at a later time. For
example, although it may not be
appropriate to require a state to
eliminate all existing inappropriate
director’s discretion provisions in the
course of acting on the infrastructure
SIP, EPA believes that section
110(a)(2)(A) may be among the statutory
bases that the Agency cites in the course
of addressing the issue in a subsequent
action.15
V. What is EPA’s analysis of Oregon’s
submittal?
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
The Oregon SIP submittal lists
specific provisions of the Oregon
Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 468
Environmental Quality, Public Health
and Safety, General Administration;
ORS Chapter 468A Air Quality, Public
Health and Safety, Air Quality Control;
13 EPA has recently issued a SIP call to rectify a
specific SIP deficiency related to the SSM issue.
See, ‘‘Finding of Substantial Inadequacy of
Implementation Plan; Call for Utah State
Implementation Plan Revision,’’ 74 FR 21,639
(April 18, 2011).
14 EPA has recently utilized this authority to
correct errors in past actions on SIP submissions
related to PSD programs. See, ‘‘Limitation of
Approval of Prevention of Significant Deterioration
Provisions Concerning Greenhouse Gas EmittingSources in State Implementation Plans; Final Rule,’’
75 FR 82,536 (Dec. 30, 2010). EPA has previously
used its authority under CAA 110(k)(6) to remove
numerous other SIP provisions that the Agency
determined it had approved in error. See, e.g., 61
FR 38,664 (July 25, 1996) and 62 FR 34,641 (June
27, 1997) (corrections to American Samoa, Arizona,
California, Hawaii, and Nevada SIPs); 69 FR 67,062
(November 16, 2004) (corrections to California SIP);
and 74 FR 57,051 (November 3, 2009) (corrections
to Arizona and Nevada SIPs).
15 EPA has recently disapproved a SIP submission
from Colorado on the grounds that it would have
included a director’s discretion provision
inconsistent with CAA requirements, including
section 110(a)(2)(A). See, e.g., 75 FR 42,342 at
42,344 (July 21,2010) (proposed disapproval of
director’s discretion provisions); 76 FR 4,540 (Jan.
26, 2011) (final disapproval of such provisions).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Feb 06, 2012
Jkt 226001
Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR)
Chapter 340, and the Oregon SIP. The
specific sections are listed below, with
an analysis of how the Oregon submittal
by ODEQ meets the requirements.
110(a)(2)(A): Emission limits and
other control measures:
Section 110(a)(2)(A) requires SIPs to
include enforceable emission limits and
other control measures, means or
techniques, schedules for compliance
and other related matters. EPA notes
that the specific nonattainment area
plan requirements of Section 110(a)(2)(I)
are subject to the timing requirement of
Section 172, not the timing requirement
of Section 110(a)(1).
Oregon’s submittal: The Oregon SIP
submittal cites multiple Oregon air
quality laws and regulations to address
this element. ORS 468A.035 ‘‘General
Comprehensive Plan’’ provides
authority to ODEQ to develop a general
comprehensive plan for the control or
abatement of air pollution. ORS
468A.020 ‘‘Rules and Standards’’ gives
the Environmental Quality Commission
(EQC) authority to adopt rules and
standards to perform function vested by
law. ORS 468A.025 ‘‘Air Purity
Standards’’ provides the EQC with
authority to set air quality standards,
emission standards, and emission
treatment and control provisions. The
Oregon submittal goes on to cite the
following listing of Oregon laws and
regulations that establish emission
limits and pollution controls. For a
detailed description, please refer to the
Technical Support Document (TSD) in
the docket for this action:
• ORS 468A.085 Residential Open
Burning of Vegetative Debris
• ORS 468A.350–.455 Motor Vehicle
Pollution Control
• ORS 468A.460–.520 Woodstove
Emissions Control
• ORS 468A.550–.620 Field Burning
and Propane Flaming
• ORS 468A.625–.645
Chlorofluorocarbons and Halon
Control
• ORS 468A.650–.660 Aerosol Spray
Control
• OAR 340–202 Ambient Air Quality
Standards and PSD Increments
• OAR 340–204 Designation of Air
Quality Areas
• OAR 340–222 Stationary Source Plant
Site Emission Limits
• OAR 340–256 Motor Vehicles
• OAR 340–226 General Emission
Standards
• OAR 340–228 Requirements for Fuel
Burning Equipment and Fuel Sulfur
Content
• OAR 340–232 Emission Standards for
VOC Point Sources
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
6049
• OAR 340–234 Emission Standards for
Wood Products Industries
• OAR 340–236 Emission Standards for
Specific Industries
• OAR 340–240 Rules for Areas with
Unique Air Quality Needs
• OAR 340–242 Rules Applicable to the
Portland Area
• OAR 340–258 Motor Vehicle Fuel
Specifications
• OAR 340–262 Residential
Woodheating
• OAR 340–266 Field Burning Rules
(Willamette Valley)
EPA analysis: EPA finds that Oregon’s
rules define and reference emissions
limits and significant emissions rates for
air pollutants including NOX and VOCs,
as precursors to ozone. Oregon has no
areas designated nonattainment for the
1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
Some of the rules listed above were
approved into the SIP under part D
because certain areas in Oregon were
historically nonattainment under the 1hour ozone standard and required
maintenance plans to ensure on-going
compliance with the 1997 8-hour ozone
standard. As a result, Oregon regulates
ozone and its precursors through its SIPapproved major and minor source
permitting programs and ozone
maintenance plans. EPA does not
consider SIP requirements triggered by
the nonattainment area mandates in part
D of Title I of the CAA to be governed
by the submission deadline of section
110(a)(1). Nevertheless, Oregon has
referenced some SIP provisions
originally submitted in response to part
D in its submittal documenting its
compliance with the infrastructure
requirements of section 110(a)(1) and
(2). Oregon has over time continually
updated the elements of its SIP
addressing the ozone NAAQS, and the
provisions reviewed here are a weave of
SIP revisions submitted in response to
the infrastructure requirements of
section 110(a)(2) and the nonattainment
requirements of part D.
For the purposes of this action, EPA
is reviewing any rules originally
submitted in response to part D solely
for the purposes of determining whether
they support a finding that the state has
met the basic infrastructure
requirements under section 110(a)(2).
EPA is proposing to approve Oregon’s
SIP as meeting the requirements of
section 110(a)(2)(A) for the 1997 8-hour
ozone NAAQS.
In this action, EPA is not proposing to
approve or disapprove any existing state
provisions with regard to excess
emissions during startup, shutdown, or
malfunction (SSM) of operations at a
facility. EPA believes that a number of
E:\FR\FM\07FEP1.SGM
07FEP1
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
6050
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 7, 2012 / Proposed Rules
states may have SSM provisions that are
contrary to the Clean Air Act and
existing EPA guidance 16 and the
Agency plans to address such state
regulations in the future. In the
meantime, EPA encourages any state
having a deficient SSM provision to take
steps to correct it as soon as possible.
In this action, EPA is not proposing to
approve or disapprove any existing state
rules relating to director’s discretion or
variance provisions. EPA believes that a
number of states may have such
provisions that are contrary to the Clean
Air Act and existing EPA guidance (52
FR 45109), November 24, 1987, and the
Agency plans to take action in the future
to address such state regulations. In the
meantime, EPA encourages any state
having a director’s discretion or
variance provision that is contrary to the
Clean Air Act and EPA guidance to take
steps to correct the deficiency as soon
as possible.
110(a)(2)(B): Ambient air quality
monitoring/data system:
Section 110(a)(2)(B) requires SIPs to
include provisions to provide for
establishment and operation of ambient
air quality monitors, collecting and
analyzing ambient air quality data, and
making these data available to EPA
upon request.
Oregon’s submittal: Oregon references
ORS 468.035(a–e, m) ‘‘Functions of the
Department’’ which provide authority to
conduct and supervise inquiries and
programs to assess and communicate air
conditions and to obtain necessary
resources (assistance, materials,
supplies, etc) to meet these
responsibilities.
EPA analysis: A comprehensive air
quality monitoring plan, intended to
meet requirements of 40 CFR part 58
was submitted by Oregon to EPA on
December 27, 1979 (40 CFR 52.1970)
and approved by EPA on March 4, 1981
(46 FR 15136). This air quality
monitoring plan has been subsequently
updated, with the most recent submittal
dated July 1, 2011. EPA approved the
plan on January 6, 2012. This plan
includes, among other things, the
locations for the ozone monitoring
network. Oregon provides an annual air
quality data report to the public on the
ODEQ Web site at https://
www.deq.state.or.us/aq/forms/
annrpt.htm. In addition, Oregon sends
real time air monitoring information for
16 Steven Herman, Assistant Administrator for
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, and
Robert Perciasepe, Assistant Administrator for Air
and Radiation. ‘‘State Implementation Plans (SIPs):
Policy Regarding Excess Emissions During
Malfunctions, Startup, and Shutdown.’’
Memorandum to EPA Air Division Directors,
August 11, 1999.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Feb 06, 2012
Jkt 226001
ozone, particulate matter, and carbon
monoxide to EPA’s AIRNow Web page
at https://www.airnow.gov and also
provides the information on the ODEQ
Air Quality Index (AQI) Web site at
https://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi. Based
on the foregoing, EPA proposes to
approve the Oregon’s SIP as meeting the
requirements of CAA Section
110(a)(2)(B) for the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS.
110(a)(2)(C): Program for enforcement
of control measures:
Section 110(a)(2)(C) requires states to
include a program providing for
enforcement of all SIP measures and the
regulation of construction of new or
modified stationary sources, including a
program to meet PSD and
nonattainment NSR requirements.
Oregon’s submittal: Oregon’s SIP
submittal refers to ORS 468.090–.140
‘‘Enforcement’’ which provides ODEQ
with authority to investigate complaints,
investigate and inspect sources for
compliance, access records, commence
enforcement procedures, and impose
civil penalties. In addition, ORS 468.035
(j, k) ‘‘Functions of the Department’’
provides ODEQ with the authority to
enforce state air pollution laws and
compel compliance with any rule,
standard, order, permit or condition.
The Oregon submittal goes on to cite the
following listing of Oregon laws and
regulations related to enforcement and
permitting. For a detailed description,
please refer to the TSD in the docket for
this action:
• ORS 468.920–.963 Environmental
Crimes
• ORS 468.996–.997 Civil Penalties
• ORS 468.065 Issuance of Permits;
Content: Fees: Use
• ORS 468.070 Denial, Modification,
Suspension or Revocation of Permits
• ORS 468A.040 Permits; Rules
• ORS 468A.045 Activities Prohibited
without Permit
• ORS 468A.055 Notice Prior to
Construction of New Sources
• ORS 468A.990 Penalties for air
pollution offenses
• OAR 340–012 Enforcement Procedure
and Civil Penalties
• OAR 340–216 Air Contaminant
Discharge Permits (ADCP)
• OAR 340–210 Stationary Source
Notification Requirements
• OAR 340–214 Stationary Source
Reporting Requirements
• OAR 340–224 Major New Source
Review
EPA analysis: To generally meet the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(C), the
state is required to have PSD,
nonattainment NSR, and minor NSR
permitting programs adequate to
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
implement the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS. As explained above, in this
action EPA is not evaluating
nonattainment related provisions, such
as the nonattainment NSR program
required by part D of the CAA. In
addition, Oregon has no nonattainment
areas for the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS.
EPA believes Oregon code provides
ODEQ with the authority to enforce the
air quality laws, regulations, permits,
and orders promulgated pursuant to
ORS Chapters 468 and 468A. ODEQ
staffs and maintains an enforcement
program to ensure compliance with SIP
requirements. The ODEQ Director, at the
direction of the Governor, may enter a
cease and desist order for polluting
activities that present an imminent and
substantial danger to public health (ORS
468–115). Enforcement cases may be
referred to the state Attorney General’s
Office for civil or criminal enforcement.
Therefore, EPA is proposing to approve
the Oregon SIP as meeting the
requirements of 110(a)(2)(C) related to
enforcement for the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS.
EPA is proposing to approve Oregon’s
SIP as generally meeting the
requirements related to PSD under
section 110(a)(2)(C) for the 1997 8-hour
ozone standard. EPA most recently
approved revisions to Oregon’s major
NSR rules (which encompass PSD and
Part D NSR) to include NOX as a
precursor for ozone for PSD purposes
and PSD permitting of GHGs on
November 9, 2011 (76 FR 80747).
EPA is proposing to approve Oregon’s
infrastructure certification for the 1997
8-hour ozone NAAQS with respect to
the general requirement in section
110(a)(2)(C) to include a program in the
SIP that regulates the modification and
construction of any stationary source as
necessary to assure that the NAAQS are
achieved. EPA most recently approved
revisions to Oregon’s NSR program,
including NSR Reform on November 9,
2011 (76 FR 80747). EPA has
determined that Oregon’s minor NSR
program adopted pursuant to section
110(a)(2)(C) of the Act regulates
emissions of ozone and its’ precursors.
Oregon’s NSR program includes
requirements for major source
permitting in nonattainment areas,
maintenance areas, and attainment and
unclassifiable areas (OAR 340–224).
Oregon’s federally-enforceable state
operating permit program is found at
OAR 340–216 ‘‘Air Contaminant
Discharge Permits’’ and is also the
administrative permit mechanism used
to implement the notice of construction
and major new source review programs.
ODEQ delegates authority to Lane
E:\FR\FM\07FEP1.SGM
07FEP1
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 7, 2012 / Proposed Rules
Regional Air Protection Agency
(LRAPA) to implement the source
permitting programs within its area of
jurisdiction. The requirements and
procedures contained in OAR 340–216,
OAR 340–222 and OAR 340–224 are
used by LRAPA to implement its
permitting programs until it adopts
rules which are at least as restrictive as
state rules. In this action, EPA is not
proposing to approve or disapprove any
state rules with regard to NSR reform
requirements for major sources.
In addition, EPA is not proposing to
approve or disapprove the state’s
existing minor NSR program in this
action; we are not evaluating this
program for consistency with EPA’s
regulations governing minor NSR
herein. EPA believes that a number of
states may have minor NSR provisions
that are contrary to the existing EPA
regulations for this program. EPA
intends to work with states to reconcile
state minor NSR programs with EPA’s
regulatory provisions for the program.
The statutory requirements of section
110(a)(2)(C) provide for considerable
flexibility in designing minor NSR
programs, and EPA believes it may be
time to revisit the regulatory
requirements for this program to give
the states an appropriate level of
flexibility to design a program that
meets their particular air quality
concerns, while assuring reasonable
consistency across the country in
protecting the NAAQS with respect to
new and modified minor sources.
110(a)(2)(D): Interstate transport:
Section 110(a)(2)(D) requires SIPs to
include provisions prohibiting any
source or other type of emissions
activity in one state from contributing
significantly to nonattainment, or
interfering with maintenance of the
NAAQS in another state, or from
interfering with measures required to
prevent significant deterioration of air
quality or to protect visibility in another
state.
As noted above, this action does not
address the requirements of
110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 8-hour ozone
NAAQS which have been addressed by
three separate actions issued by EPA.
On June 9, 2011, EPA approved the
ODEQ SIP submittal to address specific
provisions of Clean Air Act section
110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS including two of the four
prongs of 110(a)(2)(D)(i): Significant
contribution to nonattainment of these
NAAQS in any other state (prong 1); and
interference with maintenance of these
NAAQS by any other state (prong 2) (76
FR 33650). Subsequently, on July 5,
2011, EPA approved portions of a SIP
revision submitted by ODEQ as meeting
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Feb 06, 2012
Jkt 226001
the requirements of the fourth prong of
Clean Air Act section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) as
it applies to visibility for the 1997 8hour ozone NAAQS (prong 4) (76 FR
38997). Finally, on November 9, 2011,
EPA approved an Oregon SIP revision
that addressed among other things,
interference with any other state’s
required measures to prevent significant
deterioration (PSD) of its air quality
with respect to the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS (prong 3) (76 FR 80747).
Interstate and International transport
provisions:
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) requires SIPs
to include provisions ensuring
compliance with the applicable
requirements of sections 126 and 115
(relating to interstate and international
pollution abatement). Specifically,
section 126(a) requires new or modified
major sources to notify neighboring
states of potential impacts from the
source.
EPA analysis: EPA most recently
approved revisions to Oregon’s NSR
regulations on November 9, 2011 (76 FR
80747). Oregon’s public notice
requirements at OAR 340–209–0060
require that for major NSR actions
ODEQ will provide notice to
neighboring states, among other officials
and agencies. The state has no pending
obligations under section 115 or 126(b)
of the Act. EPA is proposing to approve
the Oregon SIP as meeting the
requirements of CAA Section
110(a)(2)(D)(ii) for the 1997 8-hour
ozone NAAQS.
110(a)(2)(E): Adequate resources:
Section 110(a)(2)(E) requires states to
provide (i) necessary assurances that the
state will have adequate personnel,
funding, and authority under state law
to carry out the SIP (and is not
prohibited by any provision of Federal
or state law from carrying out the SIP or
portion thereof), (ii) requires that the
state comply with the requirements
respecting state boards under section
128 and (iii) necessary assurances that,
where the state has relied on a local or
regional government, agency, or
instrumentality for the implementation
of any SIP provision, the state has
responsibility for ensuring adequate
implementation of such SIP provision.
Oregon’s submittal: Oregon cites ORS
468.035 which provides ODEQ
authority to employ personnel, purchase
supplies, enter into contracts, and to
receive appropriate and expend federal
and other funds for purposes of air
pollution research and control. In
addition, ORS 468.045 provides the
ODEQ director with the power to hire,
assign, reassign, and coordinate
personnel of the department; authority
to administer and enforce the laws of
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
6051
the state concerning environmental
quality. ORS 468.035(c) provides
authority to advise, consult, and
cooperate with other states, state and
federal agencies, or political
subdivisions on all air quality control
matters. ORS 468A.010 calls for a
coordinated statewide program of air
quality control with responsibility
allocated between the state and the
units of local government and ORS
468A.100–180 describes the
establishment, role and function of
regional air quality control authorities
and includes the provision that regional
rules may not be less strict than state
rules. The statute also provides the state
Environmental Quality Commission
with authority to require corrective
measures by the regional agency or to
remove the regional agency’s
administrative and enforcement
functions if they fail to meet the
specified requirements of state law.
Oregon regulations at OAR 340–200
specify Lane Regional Air Protection
Agency (LRAPA) has authority in Lane
County and defines the term ‘‘Regional
Agency.’’
EPA analysis: Regarding adequate
personnel, funding and authority, EPA
believes the Oregon SIP meets the
requirements of this element. Oregon
receives sections 103 and 105 grant
funds from EPA and provides state
matching funds necessary to carry out
SIP requirements. Regarding the state
board requirements under section 128,
EPA approved OAR 340–200–0100
through OAR 340–200–0120 as meeting
the requirements of CAA section 128 on
January 22, 2003 (68 FR 2891). Finally,
regarding state responsibility and
oversight of local and regional entities,
Oregon law and regulation listed above
provide ODEQ with adequate authority
to carry out SIP obligations with respect
to the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
Therefore EPA is proposing to approve
the Oregon SIP as meeting the
requirements of CAA Section
110(a)(2)(E) for the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS.
110(a)(2)(F): Stationary source
monitoring system:
Section 110(a)(2)(F) requires (i) the
installation, maintenance, and
replacement of equipment, and the
implementation of other necessary
steps, by owners or operators of
stationary sources to monitor emissions
from such sources, (ii) periodic reports
on the nature and amounts of emissions
and emissions-related data from such
sources, and (iii) correlation of such
reports by the state agency with any
emission limitations or standards
established pursuant to the CAA, which
E:\FR\FM\07FEP1.SGM
07FEP1
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
6052
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 7, 2012 / Proposed Rules
reports shall be available at reasonable
times for public inspection.
Oregon’s submittal: Oregon’s SIP
submittal refers to statute and regulation
which provides authority and
requirements for source emissions
monitoring, reporting, and correlation
with emission limits or standards. For a
detailed description, please refer to the
TSD in the docket for this action:
• ORS 468.035 (b, d) Functions of
Department
• ORS 468A.025(4) Air Purity
Standards; Air Quality Standards;
Treatment and Control of Emissions;
Rules
• ORS 468A.070 Measurement and
Testing of Contamination Sources;
Rules
• ORS 468A.365 Certification of Motor
Vehicle Pollution Control Systems
and Inspection of Motor Vehicles;
Rules
• OAR 340–212 Stationary Source
Testing and Monitoring
• OAR 340–214 Stationary Source
Reporting Requirements
• OAR 340–222 Stationary Source Plant
Site Emission Limits
• OAR 340–225 Air Quality Analysis
Requirements
• OAR 340–234 Emission Standards for
Wood Products Industries: Monitoring
and Reporting
• OAR 340–236 Emission Standards for
Specific Industries: Emissions
Monitoring and Reporting
• OAR 340–240 Rules for Areas with
Unique Air Quality Needs
EPA analysis: The provisions cited by
the Oregon SIP submittal provide for
monitoring, recordkeeping and
reporting requirements for sources
subject to major and minor source
permitting. EPA proposes to approve the
Oregon SIP as meeting the requirements
of CAA Section 110(a)(2)(F) for the 1997
8-hour ozone NAAQS.
110(a)(2)(G): Emergency episodes:
Section 110(a)(2)(G) requires states to
provide for authority to address
activities causing imminent and
substantial endangerment to public
health, including contingency plans to
implement the emergency episode
provisions in their SIPs.
Oregon’s submittal: The Oregon
submittal cites ORS 468–115
‘‘Enforcement in Cases of Emergency’’
which authorizes the ODEQ Director, at
the direction of the Governor, to enter
a cease and desist order for polluting
activities that present an imminent and
substantial danger to public health. In
addition, OAR 340–206 ‘‘Air Pollution
Emergencies’’ authorizes the ODEQ
Director to declare an air pollution alert
or warning or to issue an ozone advisory
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Feb 06, 2012
Jkt 226001
to notify the public. OAR 340–214
‘‘Stationary Source Reporting
Requirements’’ requires reporting of
emergencies and excess emissions and
reporting requirements.
EPA analysis: As noted in EPA’s
October 2, 2007 guidance, the
significant harm level for the 8-hour
ozone NAAQS shall remain unchanged
at 0.60 ppm ozone, 2 hour average, as
indicated in 40 CFR 51.151. EPA
believes that the existing ozone-related
provisions of 40 CFR part 51 subpart H
remain appropriate. Oregon’s
regulations discussed above, which
have previously been approved by EPA
into the SIP on January 22, 2003 (68 FR
2891) continue to be consistent with the
requirements of 40 CFR 51.151.
Accordingly, EPA proposes to find that
the Oregon SIP is adequate for purposes
of CAA section 110(a)(2)(G) for the 1997
8-hour ozone NAAQS.
110(a)(2)(H): Future SIP Revisions:
Section 110(a)(2)(H) requires that SIPs
provide for revision of such plan (i)
from time to time as may be necessary
to take account of revisions of such
national primary or secondary ambient
air quality standard or the availability of
improved or more expeditious methods
of attaining such standard, and (ii)
except as provided in paragraph
110(a)(3)(C), whenever the
Administrator finds on the basis of
information available to the
Administrator that the SIP is
substantially inadequate to attain the
NAAQS which it implements or to
otherwise comply with any additional
requirements under the CAA.
Oregon’s submittal: Oregon’s SIP
submittal refers to OAR 340–200
‘‘General Air Pollution Procedures and
Definitions: -0040 State of Oregon Clean
Air Act Implementation Plan’’ which
provides for revisions to Oregon’s SIP
and submittal of revisions to the EPA,
including standards submitted by a
regional authority and adopted verbatim
in ODEQ rules.
EPA analysis: Oregon regularly
submits SIP revisions to EPA. On
November, 9, 2011, EPA most recently
approved a number of Oregon SIP
revisions, including updates to Oregon’s
rules to reflect federal changes to the
NAAQS for PM2.5, ozone and lead (76
FR 80747). EPA proposes to approve the
Oregon SIP as meeting the requirements
of section 110(a)(2)(H) for the 1997 8hour ozone NAAQS.
110(a)(2)(I): Nonattainment area plan
revision under part D:
EPA analysis: There are two elements
identified in section 110(a)(2) not
governed by the 3 year submission
deadline of section 110(a)(1) because
SIPs incorporating necessary local
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
nonattainment area controls are not due
within 3 years after promulgation of a
new or revised NAAQS, but rather due
at the time of the nonattainment area
plan requirements pursuant to section
172. These requirements are: (i)
Submissions required by section
110(a)(2)(C) to the extent that subsection
refers to a permit program as required in
part D Title I of the CAA, and (ii)
submissions required by section
110(a)(2)(I) which pertain to the
nonattainment planning requirements of
part D, Title I of the CAA. As a result,
this action does not address
infrastructure elements related to
section 110(a)(2)(C) with respect to
nonattainment NSR or section
110(a)(2)(I).
110(a)(2)(J): Consultation with
government officials:
Section 110(a)(2)(J) requires states to
provide a process for consultation with
local governments and Federal Land
Managers carrying out NAAQS
implementation requirements pursuant
to Section 121 relating to consultation.
Section 110(a)(2)(J) further requires
states to notify the public if NAAQS are
exceeded in an area and to enhance
public awareness of measures that can
be taken to prevent exceedances. Lastly,
Section 110(a)(2)(J) requires states to
meet applicable requirements of Part C
related to prevention of significant
deterioration and visibility protection.
Oregon’s submittal: Oregon’s SIP
submittal refers to a number of laws and
regulations relating to consultation,
public notification, and PSD and
visibility protection. For a detailed
description, please refer to the TSD in
the docket for this action:
• ORS 468.020 Rules and Standards
• ORS 468.035 (a, c, f–g) Functions of
Department
• ORS 468A.010 Policy (1) (b, c)
• ORS 468A.025 Air Purity Standards;
Air Quality Standards; Treatment and
Control of Emissions; Rules (c)
• OAR 340–202 Ambient Air Quality
Standards and PSD Increments
• OAR 340–204 Designation of Air
Quality Areas
• OAR 340–206 Air Pollution
Emergencies
• OAR 340–209 Public Participation
• OAR 340–224 Major New Source
Review
• OAR 340–225 Air Quality Analysis
Requirements
EPA analysis: EPA finds that Oregon’s
SIP includes specific provisions for
consulting with local governments and
Federal Land Managers relating to CAA
section 121. ODEQ routinely
coordinates with local governments,
states, federal land managers and other
E:\FR\FM\07FEP1.SGM
07FEP1
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 7, 2012 / Proposed Rules
stakeholders on air quality issues and
provides notice to appropriate agencies
related to permitting actions. Oregon
regularly participates in regional
planning processes including the
Western Regional Air Partnership which
is a voluntary partnership of states,
tribes, federal land managers, local air
agencies and the U.S. EPA whose
purpose is to understand current and
evolving regional air quality issues in
the West. Therefore EPA proposes to
approve the Oregon SIP as meeting the
requirements of CAA Section
110(a)(2)(J) for consultation with
government officials.
Oregon sends real time air monitoring
information for ozone, particulate
matter, and carbon monoxide to EPA’s
AIRNow Web page at https://
www.airnow.gov and also provides the
information on the ODEQ Air Quality
Index (AQI) Web site at https://
www.deq.state.or.us/aqi including
measures that can be taken to improve
air quality. Therefore, EPA is proposing
to approve the Oregon SIP as meeting
the requirements of CAA Section
110(a)(2)(J) for public notification.
Turning to the requirement in section
110(a)(2)(J) that the SIP meet the
applicable requirements of part C of title
I of the CAA, EPA has evaluated this
requirement in the context of section
110(a)(2)(C) with respect to permitting.
EPA most recently approved revisions
to Oregon’s PSD program on November
9, 2011 (76 FR 80747). Oregon’s PSD
program regulates NOX as a precursor
for ozone. Oregon has no nonattainment
areas for the 1997 8-hour ozone
standard. Therefore, EPA is proposing to
approve Oregon’s SIP as meeting the
requirements of CAA Section
110(a)(2)(J) related to PSD.
With regard to the applicable
requirements for visibility protection,
EPA recognizes that states are subject to
visibility and regional haze program
requirements under part C of the CAA.
In the event of the establishment of a
new NAAQS, however, the visibility
and regional haze program requirements
under part C do not change. Thus we
find that there is no new visibility
obligation triggered under section
110(a)(2)(J) when a new NAAQS
becomes effective.
110(a)(2)(K): Air quality and
modeling/data:
Section 110(a)(2)(K) requires that SIPs
provide for (i) the performance of such
air quality modeling as the
Administrator may prescribe for the
purpose of predicting the effect on
ambient air quality of any emissions of
any air pollutant for which the
Administrator has established a national
ambient air quality standard, and (ii) the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Feb 06, 2012
Jkt 226001
submission, upon request, of data
related to such air quality modeling to
the Administrator.
Oregon’s submittal: Oregon’s SIP
submittal refers to ORS 468.035
‘‘Functions of Department’’ (b) which
provides ODEQ authority to conduct
studies and investigations to determine
air quality. Oregon’s SIP submittal also
refers to OAR 340–225 ‘‘Air Quality
Analysis Requirements’’ which includes
modeling requirements for analysis and
demonstration of compliance with
standards and increments in specified
areas.
EPA analysis: EPA previously
approved Oregon’s regulations on air
quality modeling into the SIP on
January 22, 2003 (68 FR 2891). Oregon’s
rules above require all modeled
estimates of ambient concentrations be
based on 40 CFR Part 51, Appendix W
(Guidelines on Air Quality Models).
Any change or substitution from models
specified in 40 CFR Part 51, Appendix
W is subject to notice and opportunity
for public comment and must receive
prior written approval from ODEQ and
the EPA. While Oregon has no
nonattainment areas for the 1997 8-hour
ozone NAAQS, Oregon has submitted a
recent SIP revision supported by
modeling for ozone. The Portland and
Salem areas were historically
nonattainment under the 1-hour ozone
standard and require maintenance plans
that ensure on-going compliance with
the 1997 8-hour ozone standard. On
May 22, 2007, Oregon submitted these
maintenance plans to EPA, supported
by extensive modeling. EPA approved
the SIP revision on December 19, 2011
(76 FR 78571). Based on the foregoing,
EPA is proposing to approve Oregon’s
SIP as meeting the requirements of CAA
Section 110(a)(2)(K) for the 1997 8-hour
ozone NAAQS.
110(a)(2)(L): Permitting fees:
Section 110(a)(2)(L) requires SIPs to
require each major stationary source to
pay permitting fees to cover the cost of
reviewing, approving, implementing
and enforcing a permit, until such time
as the SIP fee requirement is superseded
by EPA’s approval of the state’s title V
operating permit program.
Oregon’s submittal: Oregon’s SIP
submittal refers to ORS 468.065
‘‘Issuance of Permits: Content; Fees;
Use’’ which provides the EQC authority
to establish a schedule of fees for
permits based upon the costs of filing
and investigating applications, issuing
or denying permits, carrying out Title V
requirements and determining
compliance. Oregon’s submittal also
refers to OAR 340–216 ‘‘Air
Contaminant Discharge Permits’’ which
requires payment of permit fees based
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
6053
on a specified table of sources and fee
schedule.
EPA analysis: On September 28, 1995,
EPA fully approved Oregon’s Title V
program (60 FR 50106) (effective
November 27, 1995). While Oregon’s
operating permit program is not
formally approved into the state’s SIP, it
is a legal mechanism the state can use
to ensure that ODEQ has sufficient
resources to support the air program,
consistent with the requirements of the
SIP. Before EPA can grant full approval,
a state must demonstrate the ability to
collect adequate fees. Oregon’s title V
program included a demonstration the
state will collect a fee from title V
sources above the presumptive
minimum in accordance with 40 CFR
70.9(b)(2)(i). Oregon collects sufficient
fees to administer the title V permit
program. Therefore, EPA proposes to
conclude that Oregon’s SIP
demonstrates the state has satisfied the
requirements of CAA Section
110(a)(2)(L) for the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS.
110(a)(2)(M): Consultation/
participation by affected local entities:
Section 110(a)(2)(M) requires states to
provide for consultation and
participation in SIP development by
local political subdivisions affected by
the SIP.
Oregon’s submittal: Oregon’s SIP
submittal refers to the following laws
and regulations. For a detailed
description, please refer to the TSD that
can be found in the docket for this
proposed action:
• ORS 468.035 (a, c, f–g) Functions of
Department
• ORS 468A.010 Policy (1) (b, c)
• ORS 468A.100–180 Regional Air
Quality Control Authorities
• OAR 340–200 General Air Pollution
Procedures and Definitions
• OAR 340–204 Designation of Air
Quality Areas
• OAR 340–216 Air Contaminant
Discharge Permits
EPA analysis: The regulations cited by
Oregon’s submittal were previously
approved on November 9, 2011 (76 FR
80747) and provide for authority and
procedures for local and regional
authorities to participate and consult in
the SIP development process. Therefore
EPA proposes to find that Oregon’s SIP
meets the requirements of CAA Section
110(a)(2)(M) for the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS.
VI. Scope of Proposed Action
Oregon has not demonstrated
authority to implement and enforce the
Oregon Administrative Rules within
‘‘Indian Country’’ as defined in 18
E:\FR\FM\07FEP1.SGM
07FEP1
6054
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 7, 2012 / Proposed Rules
U.S.C. 1151.17 Therefore, this SIP
approval does not extend to ‘‘Indian
Country’’ in Oregon. See CAA sections
110(a)(2)(A) (SIP shall include
enforceable emission limits),
110(a)(2)(E)(i) (State must have adequate
authority under State law to carry out
SIP), and 172(c)(6) (nonattainment SIPs
shall include enforceable emission
limits). This is consistent with EPA’s
previous approval of Oregon’s PSD
program, in which EPA specifically
disapproved the program for sources
within Indian Reservations in Oregon
because the State had not shown it had
authority to regulate such sources. See
40 CFR 52.1987(c). It is also consistent
with EPA’s approval of Oregon’s title V
operating permits program. See 59 FR
61820, 61827 (December 2, 1994)
(interim approval does not extend to
Indian Country); 60 FR 50106, 50106
(September 28, 1995) (full approval does
not extend to Indian Country).
VII. Proposed Action
EPA is proposing to approve the SIP
submittal from the State of Oregon to
demonstrate that the SIP meets the
requirements of section 110(a)(1) and (2)
of the CAA for the NAAQS promulgated
for ozone on July 18, 1997. EPA is
proposing to approve in full the
following section 110(a)(2)
infrastructure elements for Oregon for
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
17 ‘‘Indian country’’ is defined under 18 U.S.C.
1151 as: (1) All land within the limits of any Indian
reservation under the jurisdiction of the United
States Government, notwithstanding the issuance of
any patent, and including rights-of-way running
through the reservation, (2) all dependent Indian
communities within the borders of the United
States, whether within the original or subsequently
acquired territory thereof, and whether within or
without the limits of a State, and (3) all Indian
allotments, the Indian titles to which have not been
extinguished, including rights-of-way running
through the same. Under this definition, EPA treats
as reservations trust lands validly set aside for the
use of a Tribe even if the trust lands have not been
formally designated as a reservation.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Feb 06, 2012
Jkt 226001
the 1997 ozone NAAQS: (A), (B), (C),
(D)(ii), (E), (F), (G), (H), (J), (K), (L), (M).
EPA is taking no action on
infrastructure elements (D)(i) and (I) for
the 1997 ozone NAAQS. This action is
being taken under section 110 of the
CAA.
VIII. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
Under the CAA, the Administrator is
required to approve a SIP submission
that complies with the provisions of the
Act and applicable Federal regulations.
42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions,
EPA’s role is to approve state choices,
provided that they meet the criteria of
the CAA. Accordingly, this proposed
action merely approves the state’s law
as meeting Federal requirements and
does not impose additional
requirements beyond those imposed by
the state’s law. For that reason, this
proposed action:
• Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’
subject to review by the Office of
Management and Budget under
Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993);
• Does not impose an information
collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et
seq.);
• Is certified as not having a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities under the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C.
601 et seq.);
• Does not contain any unfunded
mandate or significantly or uniquely
affect small governments, as described
in the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);
• Does not have Federalism
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999);
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 9990
• Is not an economically significant
regulatory action based on health or
safety risks subject to Executive Order
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
• Is not a significant regulatory action
subject to Executive Order 13211 (66
FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
• Is not subject to requirements of
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C.
272 note) because application of those
requirements would be inconsistent
with the CAA; and
• Does not provide EPA with the
discretionary authority to address, as
appropriate, disproportionate human
health or environmental effects, using
practicable and legally permissible
methods, under Executive Order
12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16,
1994).
In addition, this rule does not have
tribal implications as specified by
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249,
November 9, 2000), because the SIP is
not approved to apply in Indian country
located in Oregon, and EPA notes that
it will not impose substantial direct
costs on tribal governments or preempt
tribal law.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Lead,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate
Matter, and Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur
oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: January 27, 2012.
Dennis J. McLerran,
Regional Administrator, Region 10.
[FR Doc. 2012–2779 Filed 2–6–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
E:\FR\FM\07FEP1.SGM
07FEP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 7, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6044-6054]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2779]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R10-OAR-2011-0716, FRL-9628-1]
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Oregon:
Infrastructure Requirements for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient
Air Quality Standards
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to approve the State Implementation Plan
(SIP) submittal from the State of Oregon to demonstrate that the SIP
meets the requirements of section 110(a)(1) and (2) of the Clean Air
Act (CAA) for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
promulgated for ozone on July 18, 1997. EPA is proposing to find that
the current Oregon SIP meets the following 110(a)(2) infrastructure
elements for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS: (A), (B), (C), (D)(ii), (E),
(F), (G), (H), (J), (K), (L), and (M).
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 8, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R10-
OAR-2011-0716, by any of the following methods:
www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for
submitting comments.
Email: R10-Public_Comments@epa.gov
Mail: Kristin Hall, EPA Region 10, Office of Air, Waste
and Toxics (AWT-107), 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98101.
Hand Delivery/Courier: EPA Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue,
Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98101. Attention: Kristin Hall, Office of Air,
Waste and Toxics, AWT--107. Such deliveries are only accepted during
normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for
deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R10-OAR-
2011-
[[Page 6045]]
0716. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in
the public docket without change and may be made available online at
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided,
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to
be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or email. The
www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which
means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you
provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment
directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov your email
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the
comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the
Internet. If you submit an electronic coment, EPA recommends that you
include your name and other contact information in the body of your
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such
as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket
materials are available either electronically in www.regulations.gov or
in hard copy during normal business hours at the Office of Air, Waste
and Toxics, EPA Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristin Hall at telephone number:
(206) 553-6357, email address: hall.kristin@epa.gov, or the above EPA,
Region 10 address.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document wherever ``we'',
``us'' or ``our'' are used, we mean EPA. Information is organized as
follows:
Table of Contents
I. What action is EPA proposing?
II. What is the background for the action that EPA is proposing?
III. What infrastructure elements are required under sections
110(a)(1) and (2)?
IV. What is the scope of action on infrastructure submittals?
V. What is EPA's analysis of Oregon's submittal?
VI. Scope of Proposed Action
VII. Proposed Action
VIII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. What action is EPA proposing?
EPA is proposing to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP)
submittal from the State of Oregon to demonstrate that the SIP meets
the requirements of section 110(a)(1) and (2) of the Clean Air Act
(CAA) for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
promulgated for ozone on July 18, 1997. EPA is proposing to find that
the current Oregon SIP meets the following 110(a)(2) infrastructure
elements for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS: (A), (B), (C), (D)(ii), (E),
(F), (G), (H), (J), (K), (L), and (M).
Section 110(a)(1) of the CAA requires that each state, after a new
or revised NAAQS is promulgated, review their SIPs to ensure that they
meet the requirements of the ``infrastructure'' elements of section
110(a)(2). The State of Oregon submitted a certification to EPA on
September 25, 2008, certifying that Oregon's SIP meets the
infrastructure obligations for the 1997 8-hour ozone and 1997
PM2.5 NAAQS. The certification included an analysis of
Oregon's SIP as it relates to each section of the infrastructure
requirements with regard to the 1997 8-hour ozone and 1997
PM2.5 NAAQS.
At this time, EPA is acting on the infrastructure SIP submittal for
the 110(a)(2) required elements as they relate to the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS. This action does not address infrastructure requirements with
respect to the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS which EPA intends to act on
at a later time. This action also does not address the requirements of
110(a)(2)(D(i) for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS which were previously
approved by EPA in three separate actions on June 9, 2011 (76 FR
33650), July 5, 2011 (76 FR 38997), and November 9, 2011 (76 FR 80747).
II. What is the background for the action that EPA is proposing?
On July 18, 1997, EPA promulgated a new NAAQS for ozone. EPA
revised the ozone NAAQS to provide an 8-hour averaging period which
replaced the previous 1-hour averaging period, and the level of the
NAAQS was changed from 0.12 parts per million (ppm) to 0.08 ppm (62 FR
38856).
The CAA requires SIPs meeting the requirements of sections
110(a)(1) and (2) be submitted by states within 3 years after
promulgation of a new or revised standard. Sections 110(a)(1) and (2)
require states to address basic SIP requirements, including emissions
inventories, monitoring, and modeling to assure attainment and
maintenance of the standards, so-called ``infrastructure''
requirements. States were required to submit such SIPs for the 1997 8-
hour ozone NAAQS to EPA no later than June 2000. However, intervening
litigation over the 1997 8-hour ozone standard created uncertainty
about how to proceed, and many states did not provide the required
infrastructure SIP submissions for the newly promulgated standard.
To help states meet this statutory requirement for the 1997 8-hour
ozone NAAQS, EPA issued guidance to address infrastructure SIP elements
under section 110(a)(1) and (2).\1\ This guidance provides that to the
extent an existing SIP already meets the section 110(a)(2)
requirements, states need only to certify that fact via a letter to
EPA. Section 110(a) imposes the obligation upon states to make a SIP
submission to EPA for a new or revised NAAQS, but the contents of that
submission may vary depending upon the facts and circumstances. In
particular, the data and analytical tools available at the time the
state develops and submits the SIP for a new or revised NAAQS affects
the content of the submission. The contents of such SIP submissions may
also vary depending upon what provisions the state's federally approved
SIP already contains. In the case of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS,
states typically have met the basic program elements required in
section 110(a)(2) through earlier SIP submissions in connection with
previous ozone standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ William T. Harnett, Director, Air Quality Policy Division,
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. ``Guidance on SIP
Elements Required Under Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) for the 1997 8-
hour Ozone and PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality
Standards.'' Memorandum to EPA Air Division Directors, Regions I-X,
October 2, 2007.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
III. What infrastructure elements are required under sections 110(a)(1)
and (2)?
Section 110(a)(1) provides the procedural and timing requirements
for SIP submissions after a new or revised NAAQS is promulgated.
Section 110(a)(2) lists specific elements that states must meet for
``infrastructure'' SIP requirements related to a newly established or
revised NAAQS. These requirements include SIP infrastructure elements
such as modeling, monitoring,
[[Page 6046]]
and emissions inventories that are designed to assure attainment and
maintenance of the NAAQS. The requirements, with their corresponding
CAA subsection, are listed below:
110(a)(2)(A): Emission limits and other control measures.
110(a)(2)(B): Ambient air quality monitoring/data system.
110(a)(2)(C): Program for enforcement of control measures.
110(a)(2)(D): Interstate transport.
110(a)(2)(E): Adequate resources.
110(a)(2)(F): Stationary source monitoring system.
110(a)(2)(G): Emergency power.
110(a)(2)(H): Future SIP revisions.
110(a)(2)(I): Areas designated nonattainment and meet the
applicable requirements of part D.
110(a)(2)(J): Consultation with government officials;
public notification; and Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)
and visibility protection.
110(a)(2)(K): Air quality modeling/data.
110(a)(2)(L): Permitting fees.
110(a)(2)(M): Consultation/participation by affected local
entities.
EPA's October 2, 2007 guidance clarified that two elements
identified in section 110(a)(2) are not governed by the 3 year
submission deadline of section 110(a)(1) because SIPs incorporating
necessary local nonattainment area controls are not due within 3 years
after promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, but rather due at the
time the nonattainment area plan requirements are due pursuant to CAA
section 172. These requirements are: (i) Submissions required by
section 110(a)(2)(C) to the extent that subsection refers to a permit
program as required in part D, Title I of the CAA, and (ii) submissions
required by section 110(a)(2)(I) which pertain to the nonattainment
planning requirements of part D, Title I of the CAA. As a result, this
action does not address infrastructure elements related to section
110(a)(2)(C) with respect to nonattainment new source review (NSR) or
110(a)(2)(I).
This action also does not address the requirements of
110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS which have been
addressed by three separate actions issued by EPA. On June 9, 2011, EPA
approved the SIP revision submitted by the Oregon Department of
Environmental Quality (ODEQ) to address specific provisions of Clean
Air Act section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS
including two of the four prongs of 110(a)(2)(D)(i): significant
contribution to nonattainment of these NAAQS in any other state (prong
1) and interference with maintenance of these NAAQS by any other state
(prong 2) (76 FR 33650). Subsequently, on July 5, 2011, EPA approved
portions of a SIP revision submitted by ODEQ as meeting the
requirements of the fourth prong of Clean Air Act section
110(a)(2)(D)(i) as it applies to visibility for the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS (prong 4) (76 FR 38997). Finally, on November 9, 2011, EPA
approved an Oregon SIP revision that addressed among other things,
interference with any other state's required measures to prevent
significant deterioration (PSD) of its air quality with respect to the
1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS (prong 3) (76 FR 80747).
Furthermore, EPA interprets the section 110(a)(2)(J) provision on
visibility as not being triggered by a new NAAQS because the visibility
requirements in part C are not changed by a new NAAQS.
IV. What is the scope of action on infrastructure submittals?
EPA is currently acting upon SIPs that address the infrastructure
requirements of CAA section 110(a)(1) and (2) for ozone and
PM2.5 NAAQS for various states across the country.
Commenters on EPA's recent proposals for some states raised concerns
about EPA statements that it was not addressing certain substantive
issues in the context of acting on those infrastructure SIP
submissions.\2\ The commenters specifically raised concerns involving
provisions in existing SIPs and with EPA's statements in other
proposals that it would address two issues separately and not as part
of actions on the infrastructure SIP submissions: (i) Existing
provisions related to excess emissions during periods of start-up,
shutdown, or malfunction at sources that may be contrary to the CAA and
EPA's policies addressing such excess emissions (``SSM'') and (ii)
existing provisions related to ``director's variance'' or ``director's
discretion'' that purport to permit revisions to SIP approved emissions
limits with limited public process or without requiring further
approval by EPA, that may be contrary to the CAA (``director's
discretion''). EPA notes that there are two other substantive issues
for which EPA likewise stated in other proposals that it would address
the issues separately: (i) Existing provisions for minor source new
source review programs that may be inconsistent with the requirements
of the CAA and EPA's regulations that pertain to such programs (``minor
source NSR'') and (ii) existing provisions for Prevention of
Significant Deterioration programs that may be inconsistent with
current requirements of EPA's ``Final NSR Improvement Rule,'' 67 FR
80,186 (December 31, 2002), as amended by 72 FR 32,526 (June 13, 2007)
(``NSR Reform''). In light of the comments, EPA believes that its
statements in various proposed actions on infrastructure SIPs with
respect to these four individual issues should be explained in greater
depth. It is important to emphasize that EPA is taking the same
position with respect to these four substantive issues in this action
on the infrastructure SIP for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS submittal
from Oregon.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ See, Comments of Midwest Environmental Defense Center, dated
May 31, 2011. Docket EPA-R05-OAR-2007-1179 (adverse
comments on proposals for three states in Region 5). EPA notes that
these public comments on another proposal are not relevant to this
rulemaking and do not have to be directly addressed in this
rulemaking. EPA will respond to these comments in the appropriate
rulemaking action to which they apply.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EPA intended the statements in the other proposals concerning these
four issues merely to be informational, and to provide general notice
of the potential existence of provisions within the existing SIPs of
some states that might require future corrective action. EPA did not
want states, regulated entities, or members of the public to be under
the misconception that the Agency's approval of the infrastructure SIP
submission of a given state should be interpreted as a reapproval of
certain types of provisions that might exist buried in the larger
existing SIP for such state. Thus, for example, EPA explicitly noted
that the Agency believes that some states may have existing SIP
approved SSM provisions that are contrary to the CAA and EPA policy,
but that ``in this rulemaking, EPA is not proposing to approve or
disapprove any existing State provisions with regard to excess
emissions during SSM of operations at facilities.'' EPA further
explained, for informational purposes, that ``EPA plans to address such
State regulations in the future.'' EPA made similar statements, for
similar reasons, with respect to the director's discretion, minor
source NSR, and NSR Reform issues. EPA's objective was to make clear
that approval of an infrastructure SIP for these ozone and
PM2.5 NAAQS should not be construed as explicit or implicit
reapproval of any existing provisions that relate to these four
substantive issues. EPA is reiterating that position in this action on
the 1997 8-hour ozone infrastructure SIP for Oregon.
Unfortunately, the commenters and others evidently interpreted
these statements to mean that EPA considered action upon the SSM
provisions and the
[[Page 6047]]
other three substantive issues to be integral parts of acting on an
infrastructure SIP submission, and therefore that EPA was merely
postponing taking final action on the issues in the context of the
infrastructure SIPs. This was not EPA's intention. To the contrary, EPA
only meant to convey its awareness of the potential for certain types
of deficiencies in existing SIPs, and to prevent any misunderstanding
that it was reapproving any such existing provisions. EPA's intention
was to convey its position that the statute does not require that
infrastructure SIPs address these specific substantive issues in
existing SIPs and that these issues may be dealt with separately,
outside the context of acting on the infrastructure SIP submission of a
state. To be clear, EPA did not mean to imply that it was not taking a
full final agency action on the infrastructure SIP submission with
respect to any substantive issue that EPA considers to be a required
part of acting on such submissions under section 110(k) or under
section 110(c). Given the confusion evidently resulting from EPA's
statements in those other proposals, however, we want to explain more
fully the Agency's reasons for concluding that these four potential
substantive issues in existing SIPs may be addressed separately from
actions on infrastructure SIP submissions.
The requirement for the SIP submissions at issue arises out of CAA
section 110(a)(1). That provision requires that states must make a SIP
submission ``within 3 years (or such shorter period as the
Administrator may prescribe) after the promulgation of a national
primary ambient air quality standard (or any revision thereof)'' and
that these SIPS are to provide for the ``implementation, maintenance,
and enforcement'' of such NAAQS. Section 110(a)(2) includes a list of
specific elements that ``[e]ach such plan'' submission must meet. EPA
has historically referred to these particular submissions that states
must make after the promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS as
``infrastructure SIPs.'' This specific term does not appear in the
statute, but EPA uses the term to distinguish this particular type of
SIP submission designed to address basic structural requirements of a
SIP from other types of SIP submissions designed to address other
different requirements, such as ``nonattainment SIP'' submissions
required to address the nonattainment planning requirements of part D,
``regional haze SIP'' submissions required to address the visibility
protection requirements of CAA section 169A, new source review
permitting program submissions required to address the requirements of
part D, and a host of other specific types of SIP submissions that
address other specific matters.
Although section 110(a)(1) addresses the timing and general
requirements for these infrastructure SIPs, and section 110(a)(2)
provides more details concerning the required contents of these
infrastructure SIPs, EPA believes that many of the specific statutory
provisions are facially ambiguous. In particular, the list of required
elements provided in section 110(a)(2) contains a wide variety of
disparate provisions, some of which pertain to required legal
authority, some of which pertain to required substantive provisions,
and some of which pertain to requirements for both authority and
substantive provisions.\3\ Some of the elements of section 110(a)(2)
are relatively straightforward, but others clearly require
interpretation by EPA through rulemaking, or recommendations through
guidance, in order to give specific meaning for a particular NAAQS.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ For example, section 110(a)(2)(E) provides that states must
provide assurances that they have adequate legal authority under
state and local law to carry out the SIP; section 110(a)(2)(C)
provides that states must have a substantive program to address
certain sources as required by part C of the CAA; section
110(a)(2)(G) provides that states must have both legal authority to
address emergencies and substantive contingency plans in the event
of such an emergency.
\4\ For example, section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) requires EPA to be sure
that each state's SIP contains adequate provisions to prevent
significant contribution to nonattainment of the NAAQS in other
states. This provision contains numerous terms that require
substantial rulemaking by EPA in order to determine such basic
points as what constitutes significant contribution. See, e.g.,
``Rule To Reduce Interstate Transport of Fine Particulate Matter and
Ozone (Clean Air Interstate Rule); Revisions to Acid Rain Program;
Revisions to the NOx SIP Call; Final Rule,'' 70 FR 25,162 (May 12,
2005) (defining, among other things, the phrase ``contribute
significantly to nonattainment'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notwithstanding that section 110(a)(2) provides that ``each'' SIP
submission must meet the list of requirements therein, EPA has long
noted that this literal reading of the statute is internally
inconsistent, insofar as section 110(a)(2)(I) pertains to nonattainment
SIP requirements that could not be met on the schedule provided for
these SIP submissions in section 110(a)(1).\5\ This illustrates that
EPA must determine which provisions of section 110(a)(2) may be
applicable for a given infrastructure SIP submission. Similarly, EPA
has previously decided that it could take action on different parts of
the larger, general ``infrastructure SIP'' for a given NAAQS without
concurrent action on all subsections, such as section 110(a)(2)(D)(i),
because the Agency bifurcated the action on these latter ``interstate
transport'' provisions within section 110(a)(2) and worked with states
to address each of the four prongs of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) with
substantive administrative actions proceeding on different tracks with
different schedules.\6\ This illustrates that EPA may conclude that
subdividing the applicable requirements of section 110(a)(2) into
separate SIP actions may sometimes be appropriate for a given NAAQS
where a specific substantive action is necessitated, beyond a mere
submission addressing basic structural aspects of the state's SIP.
Finally, EPA notes that not every element of section 110(a)(2) would be
relevant, or as relevant, or relevant in the same way, for each new or
revised NAAQS and the attendant infrastructure SIP submission for that
NAAQS. For example, the monitoring requirements that might be necessary
for purposes of section 110(a)(2)(B) for one NAAQS could be very
different than what might be necessary for a different pollutant. Thus,
the content of an infrastructure SIP submission to meet this element
from a state might be very different for an entirely new NAAQS, versus
a minor revision to an existing NAAQS.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See, e.g., Id., 70 FR 25,162, at 63-65 (May 12, 2005)
(explaining relationship between timing requirement of section
110(a)(2)(D) versus section 110(a)(2)(I)).
\6\ EPA issued separate guidance to states with respect to SIP
submissions to meet section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 1997 ozone and
1997 PM2.5 NAAQS. See, ``Guidance for State
Implementation Plan (SIP) Submissions to Meet Current Outstanding
Obligations Under Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 8-Hour Ozone and
PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards,'' from
William T. Harnett, Director Air Quality Policy Division OAQPS, to
Regional Air Division Director, Regions I-X, dated August 15, 2006.
\7\ For example, implementation of the 1997PM2.5
NAAQS required the deployment of a system of new monitors to measure
ambient levels of that new indicator species for the new NAAQS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Similarly, EPA notes that other types of SIP submissions required
under the statute also must meet the requirements of section 110(a)(2),
and this also demonstrates the need to identify the applicable elements
for other SIP submissions. For example, nonattainment SIPs required by
part D likewise have to meet the relevant subsections of section
110(a)(2) such as section 110(a)(2)(A) or (E). By contrast, it is clear
that nonattainment SIPs would not need to meet the portion of section
110(a)(2)(C) that pertains to part C, i.e., the PSD requirements
applicable in attainment areas. Nonattainment SIPs
[[Page 6048]]
required by part D also would not need to address the requirements of
section 110(a)(2)(G) with respect to emergency episodes, as such
requirements would not be limited to nonattainment areas. As this
example illustrates, each type of SIP submission may implicate some
subsections of section 110(a)(2) and not others.
Given the potential for ambiguity of the statutory language of
section 110(a)(1) and (2), EPA believes that it is appropriate for EPA
to interpret that language in the context of acting on the
infrastructure SIPs for a given NAAQS. Because of the inherent
ambiguity of the list of requirements in section 110(a)(2), EPA has
adopted an approach in which it reviews infrastructure SIPs against
this list of elements ``as applicable.'' In other words, EPA assumes
that Congress could not have intended that each and every SIP
submission, regardless of the purpose of the submission or the NAAQS in
question, would meet each of the requirements, or meet each of them in
the same way. EPA elected to use guidance to make recommendations for
infrastructure SIPs for these ozone and PM2.5 NAAQS.
On October 2, 2007, EPA issued guidance making recommendations for
the infrastructure SIP submissions for both the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS
and the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS.\8\ Within this guidance document,
EPA described the duty of states to make these submissions to meet what
the Agency characterized as the ``infrastructure'' elements for SIPs,
which it further described as the ``basic SIP requirements, including
emissions inventories, monitoring, and modeling to assure attainment
and maintenance of the standards.'' \9\ As further identification of
these basic structural SIP requirements, ``attachment A'' to the
guidance document included a short description of the various elements
of section 110(a)(2) and additional information about the types of
issues that EPA considered germane in the context of such
infrastructure SIPs. EPA emphasized that the description of the basic
requirements listed on attachment A was not intended ``to constitute an
interpretation of'' the requirements, and was merely a ``brief
description of the required elements. '' \10\ EPA also stated its
belief that with one exception, these requirements were ``relatively
self explanatory, and past experience with SIPs for other NAAQS should
enable States to meet these requirements with assistance from EPA
Regions.'' \11\ For the one exception to that general assumption,
however, i.e., how states should proceed with respect to the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(G) for the 1997 PM2.5
NAAQS, EPA gave much more specific recommendations. But for other
infrastructure SIP submittals, and for certain elements of the
submittals for the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS, EPA assumed that each
State would work with its corresponding EPA regional office to refine
the scope of a State's submittal based on an assessment of how the
requirements of section 110(a)(2) should reasonably apply to the basic
structure of the State's SIP for the NAAQS in question.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ See, ``Guidance on SIP Elements Required Under Section
110(a)(1) and (2) for the 1997 8-hour Ozone and PM2.5
National Ambient Air Quality Standards,'' from William T. Harnett,
Director Air Quality Policy Division, to Air Division Directors,
Regions I-X, dated October 2, 2007 (the ``2007 Guidance'').
\9\ Id., at page 2.
\10\ Id., at attachment A, page 1.
\11\ Id., at page 4. In retrospect, the concerns raised by
commenters with respect to EPA's approach to some substantive issues
indicates that the statute is not so ``self explanatory,'' and
indeed is sufficiently ambiguous that EPA needs to interpret it in
order to explain why these substantive issues do not need to be
addressed in the context of infrastructure SIPs and may be addressed
at other times and by other means.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On September 25, 2009, EPA issued guidance to make recommendations
to states with respect to the infrastructure SIPs for the 2006
PM2.5 NAAQS.\12\ In the 2009 Guidance, EPA addressed a
number of additional issues that were not germane to the infrastructure
SIPs for the 1997 8-hour ozone and 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS, but
were germane to these SIP submissions for the 2006 PM2.5
NAAQS, e.g., the requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) that EPA had
bifurcated from the other infrastructure elements for those specific
1997 ozone and PM2.5 NAAQS. Significantly, neither the 2007
Guidance nor the 2009 Guidance explicitly referred to the SSM,
director's discretion, minor source NSR, or NSR Reform issues as among
specific substantive issues EPA expected states to address in the
context of the infrastructure SIPs, nor did EPA give any more specific
recommendations with respect to how states might address such issues
even if they elected to do so. The SSM and director's discretion issues
implicate section 110(a)(2)(A), and the minor source NSR and NSR Reform
issues implicate section 110(a)(2)(C). In the 2007 Guidance and the
2009 Guidance, however, EPA did not indicate to states that it intended
to interpret these provisions as requiring a substantive submission to
address these specific issues in existing SIP provisions in the context
of the infrastructure SIPs for these NAAQS. Instead, EPA's 2007
Guidance merely indicated its belief that the states should make
submissions in which they established that they have the basic SIP
structure necessary to implement, maintain, and enforce the NAAQS. EPA
believes that states can establish that they have the basic SIP
structure, notwithstanding that there may be potential deficiencies
within the existing SIP. Thus, EPA's proposals for other states
mentioned these issues not because the Agency considers them issues
that must be addressed in the context of an infrastructure SIP as
required by section 110(a)(1) and (2), but rather because EPA wanted to
be clear that it considers these potential existing SIP problems as
separate from the pending infrastructure SIP actions. The same holds
true for this action on the 1997 8-hour ozone infrastructure SIP for
Oregon.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ See, ``Guidance on SIP Elements Required Under Sections
110(a)(1) and (2) for the 2006 24-Hour Fine Particle
(PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS),''
from William T, Harnett, Director Air Quality Policy Division, to
Regional Air Division Directors, Regions I-X, dated September 25,
2009 (the ``2009 Guidance'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EPA believes that this approach to the infrastructure SIP
requirement is reasonable, because it would not be feasible to read
section 110(a)(1) and (2) to require a top to bottom, stem to stern,
review of each and every provision of an existing SIP merely for
purposes of assuring that the state in question has the basic
structural elements for a functioning SIP for a new or revised NAAQS.
Because SIPs have grown by accretion over the decades as statutory and
regulatory requirements under the CAA have evolved, they may include
some outmoded provisions and historical artifacts that, while not fully
up to date, nevertheless may not pose a significant problem for the
purposes of ``implementation, maintenance, and enforcement'' of a new
or revised NAAQS when EPA considers the overall effectiveness of the
SIP. To the contrary, EPA believes that a better approach is for EPA to
determine which specific SIP elements from section 110(a)(2) are
applicable to an infrastructure SIP for a given NAAQS, and to focus
attention on those elements that are most likely to need a specific SIP
revision in light of the new or revised NAAQS. Thus, for example, EPA's
2007 Guidance specifically directed states to focus on the requirements
of section 110(a)(2)(G) for the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS because of
the absence of underlying EPA regulations for emergency episodes for
this NAAQS and an anticipated absence of relevant provisions in
existing SIPs.
Finally, EPA believes that its approach is a reasonable reading of
section 110(a)(1) and (2) because the statute provides other avenues
and mechanisms to address specific
[[Page 6049]]
substantive deficiencies in existing SIPs. These other statutory tools
allow the Agency to take appropriate tailored action, depending upon
the nature and severity of the alleged SIP deficiency. Section
110(k)(5) authorizes EPA to issue a ``SIP call'' whenever the Agency
determines that a state's SIP is substantially inadequate to attain or
maintain the NAAQS, to mitigate interstate transport, or otherwise to
comply with the CAA.\13\ Section 110(k)(6) authorizes EPA to correct
errors in past actions, such as past approvals of SIP submissions.\14\
Significantly, EPA's determination that an action on the infrastructure
SIP is not the appropriate time and place to address all potential
existing SIP problems does not preclude the Agency's subsequent
reliance on provisions in section 110(a)(2) as part of the basis for
action at a later time. For example, although it may not be appropriate
to require a state to eliminate all existing inappropriate director's
discretion provisions in the course of acting on the infrastructure
SIP, EPA believes that section 110(a)(2)(A) may be among the statutory
bases that the Agency cites in the course of addressing the issue in a
subsequent action.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ EPA has recently issued a SIP call to rectify a specific
SIP deficiency related to the SSM issue. See, ``Finding of
Substantial Inadequacy of Implementation Plan; Call for Utah State
Implementation Plan Revision,'' 74 FR 21,639 (April 18, 2011).
\14\ EPA has recently utilized this authority to correct errors
in past actions on SIP submissions related to PSD programs. See,
``Limitation of Approval of Prevention of Significant Deterioration
Provisions Concerning Greenhouse Gas Emitting-Sources in State
Implementation Plans; Final Rule,'' 75 FR 82,536 (Dec. 30, 2010).
EPA has previously used its authority under CAA 110(k)(6) to remove
numerous other SIP provisions that the Agency determined it had
approved in error. See, e.g., 61 FR 38,664 (July 25, 1996) and 62 FR
34,641 (June 27, 1997) (corrections to American Samoa, Arizona,
California, Hawaii, and Nevada SIPs); 69 FR 67,062 (November 16,
2004) (corrections to California SIP); and 74 FR 57,051 (November 3,
2009) (corrections to Arizona and Nevada SIPs).
\15\ EPA has recently disapproved a SIP submission from Colorado
on the grounds that it would have included a director's discretion
provision inconsistent with CAA requirements, including section
110(a)(2)(A). See, e.g., 75 FR 42,342 at 42,344 (July 21,2010)
(proposed disapproval of director's discretion provisions); 76 FR
4,540 (Jan. 26, 2011) (final disapproval of such provisions).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
V. What is EPA's analysis of Oregon's submittal?
The Oregon SIP submittal lists specific provisions of the Oregon
Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 468 Environmental Quality, Public Health
and Safety, General Administration; ORS Chapter 468A Air Quality,
Public Health and Safety, Air Quality Control; Oregon Administrative
Rules (OAR) Chapter 340, and the Oregon SIP. The specific sections are
listed below, with an analysis of how the Oregon submittal by ODEQ
meets the requirements.
110(a)(2)(A): Emission limits and other control measures:
Section 110(a)(2)(A) requires SIPs to include enforceable emission
limits and other control measures, means or techniques, schedules for
compliance and other related matters. EPA notes that the specific
nonattainment area plan requirements of Section 110(a)(2)(I) are
subject to the timing requirement of Section 172, not the timing
requirement of Section 110(a)(1).
Oregon's submittal: The Oregon SIP submittal cites multiple Oregon
air quality laws and regulations to address this element. ORS 468A.035
``General Comprehensive Plan'' provides authority to ODEQ to develop a
general comprehensive plan for the control or abatement of air
pollution. ORS 468A.020 ``Rules and Standards'' gives the Environmental
Quality Commission (EQC) authority to adopt rules and standards to
perform function vested by law. ORS 468A.025 ``Air Purity Standards''
provides the EQC with authority to set air quality standards, emission
standards, and emission treatment and control provisions. The Oregon
submittal goes on to cite the following listing of Oregon laws and
regulations that establish emission limits and pollution controls. For
a detailed description, please refer to the Technical Support Document
(TSD) in the docket for this action:
ORS 468A.085 Residential Open Burning of Vegetative Debris
ORS 468A.350-.455 Motor Vehicle Pollution Control
ORS 468A.460-.520 Woodstove Emissions Control
ORS 468A.550-.620 Field Burning and Propane Flaming
ORS 468A.625-.645 Chlorofluorocarbons and Halon Control
ORS 468A.650-.660 Aerosol Spray Control
OAR 340-202 Ambient Air Quality Standards and PSD Increments
OAR 340-204 Designation of Air Quality Areas
OAR 340-222 Stationary Source Plant Site Emission Limits
OAR 340-256 Motor Vehicles
OAR 340-226 General Emission Standards
OAR 340-228 Requirements for Fuel Burning Equipment and Fuel
Sulfur Content
OAR 340-232 Emission Standards for VOC Point Sources
OAR 340-234 Emission Standards for Wood Products Industries
OAR 340-236 Emission Standards for Specific Industries
OAR 340-240 Rules for Areas with Unique Air Quality Needs
OAR 340-242 Rules Applicable to the Portland Area
OAR 340-258 Motor Vehicle Fuel Specifications
OAR 340-262 Residential Woodheating
OAR 340-266 Field Burning Rules (Willamette Valley)
EPA analysis: EPA finds that Oregon's rules define and reference
emissions limits and significant emissions rates for air pollutants
including NOX and VOCs, as precursors to ozone. Oregon has
no areas designated nonattainment for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
Some of the rules listed above were approved into the SIP under
part D because certain areas in Oregon were historically nonattainment
under the 1-hour ozone standard and required maintenance plans to
ensure on-going compliance with the 1997 8-hour ozone standard. As a
result, Oregon regulates ozone and its precursors through its SIP-
approved major and minor source permitting programs and ozone
maintenance plans. EPA does not consider SIP requirements triggered by
the nonattainment area mandates in part D of Title I of the CAA to be
governed by the submission deadline of section 110(a)(1). Nevertheless,
Oregon has referenced some SIP provisions originally submitted in
response to part D in its submittal documenting its compliance with the
infrastructure requirements of section 110(a)(1) and (2). Oregon has
over time continually updated the elements of its SIP addressing the
ozone NAAQS, and the provisions reviewed here are a weave of SIP
revisions submitted in response to the infrastructure requirements of
section 110(a)(2) and the nonattainment requirements of part D.
For the purposes of this action, EPA is reviewing any rules
originally submitted in response to part D solely for the purposes of
determining whether they support a finding that the state has met the
basic infrastructure requirements under section 110(a)(2). EPA is
proposing to approve Oregon's SIP as meeting the requirements of
section 110(a)(2)(A) for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
In this action, EPA is not proposing to approve or disapprove any
existing state provisions with regard to excess emissions during
startup, shutdown, or malfunction (SSM) of operations at a facility.
EPA believes that a number of
[[Page 6050]]
states may have SSM provisions that are contrary to the Clean Air Act
and existing EPA guidance \16\ and the Agency plans to address such
state regulations in the future. In the meantime, EPA encourages any
state having a deficient SSM provision to take steps to correct it as
soon as possible.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ Steven Herman, Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance, and Robert Perciasepe, Assistant Administrator
for Air and Radiation. ``State Implementation Plans (SIPs): Policy
Regarding Excess Emissions During Malfunctions, Startup, and
Shutdown.'' Memorandum to EPA Air Division Directors, August 11,
1999.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this action, EPA is not proposing to approve or disapprove any
existing state rules relating to director's discretion or variance
provisions. EPA believes that a number of states may have such
provisions that are contrary to the Clean Air Act and existing EPA
guidance (52 FR 45109), November 24, 1987, and the Agency plans to take
action in the future to address such state regulations. In the
meantime, EPA encourages any state having a director's discretion or
variance provision that is contrary to the Clean Air Act and EPA
guidance to take steps to correct the deficiency as soon as possible.
110(a)(2)(B): Ambient air quality monitoring/data system:
Section 110(a)(2)(B) requires SIPs to include provisions to provide
for establishment and operation of ambient air quality monitors,
collecting and analyzing ambient air quality data, and making these
data available to EPA upon request.
Oregon's submittal: Oregon references ORS 468.035(a-e, m)
``Functions of the Department'' which provide authority to conduct and
supervise inquiries and programs to assess and communicate air
conditions and to obtain necessary resources (assistance, materials,
supplies, etc) to meet these responsibilities.
EPA analysis: A comprehensive air quality monitoring plan, intended
to meet requirements of 40 CFR part 58 was submitted by Oregon to EPA
on December 27, 1979 (40 CFR 52.1970) and approved by EPA on March 4,
1981 (46 FR 15136). This air quality monitoring plan has been
subsequently updated, with the most recent submittal dated July 1,
2011. EPA approved the plan on January 6, 2012. This plan includes,
among other things, the locations for the ozone monitoring network.
Oregon provides an annual air quality data report to the public on the
ODEQ Web site at https://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/forms/annrpt.htm. In
addition, Oregon sends real time air monitoring information for ozone,
particulate matter, and carbon monoxide to EPA's AIRNow Web page at
https://www.airnow.gov and also provides the information on the ODEQ Air
Quality Index (AQI) Web site at https://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi. Based
on the foregoing, EPA proposes to approve the Oregon's SIP as meeting
the requirements of CAA Section 110(a)(2)(B) for the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS.
110(a)(2)(C): Program for enforcement of control measures:
Section 110(a)(2)(C) requires states to include a program providing
for enforcement of all SIP measures and the regulation of construction
of new or modified stationary sources, including a program to meet PSD
and nonattainment NSR requirements.
Oregon's submittal: Oregon's SIP submittal refers to ORS
468.090-.140 ``Enforcement'' which provides ODEQ with authority to
investigate complaints, investigate and inspect sources for compliance,
access records, commence enforcement procedures, and impose civil
penalties. In addition, ORS 468.035 (j, k) ``Functions of the
Department'' provides ODEQ with the authority to enforce state air
pollution laws and compel compliance with any rule, standard, order,
permit or condition. The Oregon submittal goes on to cite the following
listing of Oregon laws and regulations related to enforcement and
permitting. For a detailed description, please refer to the TSD in the
docket for this action:
ORS 468.920-.963 Environmental Crimes
ORS 468.996-.997 Civil Penalties
ORS 468.065 Issuance of Permits; Content: Fees: Use
ORS 468.070 Denial, Modification, Suspension or Revocation of
Permits
ORS 468A.040 Permits; Rules
ORS 468A.045 Activities Prohibited without Permit
ORS 468A.055 Notice Prior to Construction of New Sources
ORS 468A.990 Penalties for air pollution offenses
OAR 340-012 Enforcement Procedure and Civil Penalties
OAR 340-216 Air Contaminant Discharge Permits (ADCP)
OAR 340-210 Stationary Source Notification Requirements
OAR 340-214 Stationary Source Reporting Requirements
OAR 340-224 Major New Source Review
EPA analysis: To generally meet the requirements of section
110(a)(2)(C), the state is required to have PSD, nonattainment NSR, and
minor NSR permitting programs adequate to implement the 1997 8-hour
ozone NAAQS. As explained above, in this action EPA is not evaluating
nonattainment related provisions, such as the nonattainment NSR program
required by part D of the CAA. In addition, Oregon has no nonattainment
areas for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
EPA believes Oregon code provides ODEQ with the authority to
enforce the air quality laws, regulations, permits, and orders
promulgated pursuant to ORS Chapters 468 and 468A. ODEQ staffs and
maintains an enforcement program to ensure compliance with SIP
requirements. The ODEQ Director, at the direction of the Governor, may
enter a cease and desist order for polluting activities that present an
imminent and substantial danger to public health (ORS 468-115).
Enforcement cases may be referred to the state Attorney General's
Office for civil or criminal enforcement. Therefore, EPA is proposing
to approve the Oregon SIP as meeting the requirements of 110(a)(2)(C)
related to enforcement for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
EPA is proposing to approve Oregon's SIP as generally meeting the
requirements related to PSD under section 110(a)(2)(C) for the 1997 8-
hour ozone standard. EPA most recently approved revisions to Oregon's
major NSR rules (which encompass PSD and Part D NSR) to include
NOX as a precursor for ozone for PSD purposes and PSD
permitting of GHGs on November 9, 2011 (76 FR 80747).
EPA is proposing to approve Oregon's infrastructure certification
for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS with respect to the general requirement
in section 110(a)(2)(C) to include a program in the SIP that regulates
the modification and construction of any stationary source as necessary
to assure that the NAAQS are achieved. EPA most recently approved
revisions to Oregon's NSR program, including NSR Reform on November 9,
2011 (76 FR 80747). EPA has determined that Oregon's minor NSR program
adopted pursuant to section 110(a)(2)(C) of the Act regulates emissions
of ozone and its' precursors.
Oregon's NSR program includes requirements for major source
permitting in nonattainment areas, maintenance areas, and attainment
and unclassifiable areas (OAR 340-224). Oregon's federally-enforceable
state operating permit program is found at OAR 340-216 ``Air
Contaminant Discharge Permits'' and is also the administrative permit
mechanism used to implement the notice of construction and major new
source review programs. ODEQ delegates authority to Lane
[[Page 6051]]
Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) to implement the source
permitting programs within its area of jurisdiction. The requirements
and procedures contained in OAR 340-216, OAR 340-222 and OAR 340-224
are used by LRAPA to implement its permitting programs until it adopts
rules which are at least as restrictive as state rules. In this action,
EPA is not proposing to approve or disapprove any state rules with
regard to NSR reform requirements for major sources.
In addition, EPA is not proposing to approve or disapprove the
state's existing minor NSR program in this action; we are not
evaluating this program for consistency with EPA's regulations
governing minor NSR herein. EPA believes that a number of states may
have minor NSR provisions that are contrary to the existing EPA
regulations for this program. EPA intends to work with states to
reconcile state minor NSR programs with EPA's regulatory provisions for
the program. The statutory requirements of section 110(a)(2)(C) provide
for considerable flexibility in designing minor NSR programs, and EPA
believes it may be time to revisit the regulatory requirements for this
program to give the states an appropriate level of flexibility to
design a program that meets their particular air quality concerns,
while assuring reasonable consistency across the country in protecting
the NAAQS with respect to new and modified minor sources.
110(a)(2)(D): Interstate transport:
Section 110(a)(2)(D) requires SIPs to include provisions
prohibiting any source or other type of emissions activity in one state
from contributing significantly to nonattainment, or interfering with
maintenance of the NAAQS in another state, or from interfering with
measures required to prevent significant deterioration of air quality
or to protect visibility in another state.
As noted above, this action does not address the requirements of
110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS which have been addressed by
three separate actions issued by EPA. On June 9, 2011, EPA approved the
ODEQ SIP submittal to address specific provisions of Clean Air Act
section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS including two
of the four prongs of 110(a)(2)(D)(i): Significant contribution to
nonattainment of these NAAQS in any other state (prong 1); and
interference with maintenance of these NAAQS by any other state (prong
2) (76 FR 33650). Subsequently, on July 5, 2011, EPA approved portions
of a SIP revision submitted by ODEQ as meeting the requirements of the
fourth prong of Clean Air Act section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) as it applies to
visibility for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS (prong 4) (76 FR 38997).
Finally, on November 9, 2011, EPA approved an Oregon SIP revision that
addressed among other things, interference with any other state's
required measures to prevent significant deterioration (PSD) of its air
quality with respect to the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS (prong 3) (76 FR
80747).
Interstate and International transport provisions:
Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) requires SIPs to include provisions
ensuring compliance with the applicable requirements of sections 126
and 115 (relating to interstate and international pollution abatement).
Specifically, section 126(a) requires new or modified major sources to
notify neighboring states of potential impacts from the source.
EPA analysis: EPA most recently approved revisions to Oregon's NSR
regulations on November 9, 2011 (76 FR 80747). Oregon's public notice
requirements at OAR 340-209-0060 require that for major NSR actions
ODEQ will provide notice to neighboring states, among other officials
and agencies. The state has no pending obligations under section 115 or
126(b) of the Act. EPA is proposing to approve the Oregon SIP as
meeting the requirements of CAA Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) for the 1997
8-hour ozone NAAQS.
110(a)(2)(E): Adequate resources:
Section 110(a)(2)(E) requires states to provide (i) necessary
assurances that the state will have adequate personnel, funding, and
authority under state law to carry out the SIP (and is not prohibited
by any provision of Federal or state law from carrying out the SIP or
portion thereof), (ii) requires that the state comply with the
requirements respecting state boards under section 128 and (iii)
necessary assurances that, where the state has relied on a local or
regional government, agency, or instrumentality for the implementation
of any SIP provision, the state has responsibility for ensuring
adequate implementation of such SIP provision.
Oregon's submittal: Oregon cites ORS 468.035 which provides ODEQ
authority to employ personnel, purchase supplies, enter into contracts,
and to receive appropriate and expend federal and other funds for
purposes of air pollution research and control. In addition, ORS
468.045 provides the ODEQ director with the power to hire, assign,
reassign, and coordinate personnel of the department; authority to
administer and enforce the laws of the state concerning environmental
quality. ORS 468.035(c) provides authority to advise, consult, and
cooperate with other states, state and federal agencies, or political
subdivisions on all air quality control matters. ORS 468A.010 calls for
a coordinated statewide program of air quality control with
responsibility allocated between the state and the units of local
government and ORS 468A.100-180 describes the establishment, role and
function of regional air quality control authorities and includes the
provision that regional rules may not be less strict than state rules.
The statute also provides the state Environmental Quality Commission
with authority to require corrective measures by the regional agency or
to remove the regional agency's administrative and enforcement
functions if they fail to meet the specified requirements of state law.
Oregon regulations at OAR 340-200 specify Lane Regional Air Protection
Agency (LRAPA) has authority in Lane County and defines the term
``Regional Agency.''
EPA analysis: Regarding adequate personnel, funding and authority,
EPA believes the Oregon SIP meets the requirements of this element.
Oregon receives sections 103 and 105 grant funds from EPA and provides
state matching funds necessary to carry out SIP requirements. Regarding
the state board requirements under section 128, EPA approved OAR 340-
200-0100 through OAR 340-200-0120 as meeting the requirements of CAA
section 128 on January 22, 2003 (68 FR 2891). Finally, regarding state
responsibility and oversight of local and regional entities, Oregon law
and regulation listed above provide ODEQ with adequate authority to
carry out SIP obligations with respect to the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
Therefore EPA is proposing to approve the Oregon SIP as meeting the
requirements of CAA Section 110(a)(2)(E) for the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS.
110(a)(2)(F): Stationary source monitoring system:
Section 110(a)(2)(F) requires (i) the installation, maintenance,
and replacement of equipment, and the implementation of other necessary
steps, by owners or operators of stationary sources to monitor
emissions from such sources, (ii) periodic reports on the nature and
amounts of emissions and emissions-related data from such sources, and
(iii) correlation of such reports by the state agency with any emission
limitations or standards established pursuant to the CAA, which
[[Page 6052]]
reports shall be available at reasonable times for public inspection.
Oregon's submittal: Oregon's SIP submittal refers to statute and
regulation which provides authority and requirements for source
emissions monitoring, reporting, and correlation with emission limits
or standards. For a detailed description, please refer to the TSD in
the docket for this action:
ORS 468.035 (b, d) Functions of Department
ORS 468A.025(4) Air Purity Standards; Air Quality Standards;
Treatment and Control of Emissions; Rules
ORS 468A.070 Measurement and Testing of Contamination Sources;
Rules
ORS 468A.365 Certification of Motor Vehicle Pollution Control
Systems and Inspection of Motor Vehicles; Rules
OAR 340-212 Stationary Source Testing and Monitoring
OAR 340-214 Stationary Source Reporting Requirements
OAR 340-222 Stationary Source Plant Site Emission Limits
OAR 340-225 Air Quality Analysis Requirements
OAR 340-234 Emission Standards for Wood Products Industries:
Monitoring and Reporting
OAR 340-236 Emission Standards for Specific Industries:
Emissions Monitoring and Reporting
OAR 340-240 Rules for Areas with Unique Air Quality Needs
EPA analysis: The provisions cited by the Oregon SIP submittal
provide for monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements for
sources subject to major and minor source permitting. EPA proposes to
approve the Oregon SIP as meeting the requirements of CAA Section
110(a)(2)(F) for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
110(a)(2)(G): Emergency episodes:
Section 110(a)(2)(G) requires states to provide for authority to
address activities causing imminent and substantial endangerment to
public health, including contingency plans to implement the emergency
episode provisions in their SIPs.
Oregon's submittal: The Oregon submittal cites ORS 468-115
``Enforcement in Cases of Emergency'' which authorizes the ODEQ
Director, at the direction of the Governor, to enter a cease and desist
order for polluting activities that present an imminent and substantial
danger to public health. In addition, OAR 340-206 ``Air Pollution
Emergencies'' authorizes the ODEQ Director to declare an air pollution
alert or warning or to issue an ozone advisory to notify the public.
OAR 340-214 ``Stationary Source Reporting Requirements'' requires
reporting of emergencies and excess emissions and reporting
requirements.
EPA analysis: As noted in EPA's October 2, 2007 guidance, the
significant harm level for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS shall remain
unchanged at 0.60 ppm ozone, 2 hour average, as indicated in 40 CFR
51.151. EPA believes that the existing ozone-related provisions of 40
CFR part 51 subpart H remain appropriate. Oregon's regulations
discussed above, which have previously been approved by EPA into the
SIP on January 22, 2003 (68 FR 2891) continue to be consistent with the
requirements of 40 CFR 51.151. Accordingly, EPA proposes to find that
the Oregon SIP is adequate for purposes of CAA section 110(a)(2)(G) for
the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
110(a)(2)(H): Future SIP Revisions:
Section 110(a)(2)(H) requires that SIPs provide for revision of
such plan (i) from time to time as may be necessary to take account of
revisions of such national primary or secondary ambient air quality
standard or the availability of improved or more expeditious methods of
attaining such standard, and (ii) except as provided in paragraph
110(a)(3)(C), whenever the Administrator finds on the basis of
information available to the Administrator that the SIP is
substantially inadequate to attain the NAAQS which it implements or to
otherwise comply with any additional requirements under the CAA.
Oregon's submittal: Oregon's SIP submittal refers to OAR 340-200
``General Air Pollution Procedures and Definitions: -0040 State of
Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan'' which provides for revisions
to Oregon's SIP and submittal of revisions to the EPA, including
standards submitted by a regional authority and adopted verbatim in
ODEQ rules.
EPA analysis: Oregon regularly submits SIP revisions to EPA. On
November, 9, 2011, EPA most recently approved a number of Oregon SIP
revisions, including updates to Oregon's rules to reflect federal
changes to the NAAQS for PM2.5, ozone and lead (76 FR
80747). EPA proposes to approve the Oregon SIP as meeting the
requirements of section 110(a)(2)(H) for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
110(a)(2)(I): Nonattainment area plan revision under part D:
EPA analysis: There are two elements identified in section
110(a)(2) not governed by the 3 year submission deadline of section
110(a)(1) because SIPs incorporating necessary local nonattainment area
controls are not due within 3 years after promulgation of a new or
revised NAAQS, but rather due at the time of the nonattainment area
plan requirements pursuant to section 172. These requirements are: (i)
Submissions required by section 110(a)(2)(C) to the extent that
subsection refers to a permit program as required in part D Title I of
the CAA, and (ii) submissions required by section 110(a)(2)(I) which
pertain to the nonattainment planning requirements of part D, Title I
of the CAA. As a result, this action does not address infrastructure
elements related to section 110(a)(2)(C) with respect to nonattainment
NSR or section 110(a)(2)(I).
110(a)(2)(J): Consultation with government officials:
Section 110(a)(2)(J) requires states to provide a process for
consultation with local governments and Federal Land Managers carrying
out NAAQS implementation requirements pursuant to Section 121 relating
to consultation. Section 110(a)(2)(J) further requires states to notify
the public if NAAQS are exceeded in an area and to enhance public
awareness of measures that can be taken to prevent exceedances. Lastly,
Section 110(a)(2)(J) requires states to meet applicable requirements of
Part C related to prevention of significant deterioration and
visibility protection.
Oregon's submittal: Oregon's SIP submittal refers to a number of
laws and regulations relating to consultation, public notification, and
PSD and visibility protection. For a detailed description, please refer
to the TSD in the docket for this action:
ORS 468.020 Rules and Standards
ORS 468.035 (a, c, f-g) Functions of Department
ORS 468A.010 Policy (1) (b, c)
ORS 468A.025 Air Purity Standards; Air Quality Standards;
Treatment and Control of Emissions; Rules (c)
OAR 340-202 Ambient Air Quality Standards and PSD Increments
OAR 340-204 Designation of Air Quality Areas
OAR 340-206 Air Pollution Emergencies
OAR 340-209 Public Participation
OAR 340-224 Major New Source Review
OAR 340-225 Air Quality Analysis Requirements
EPA analysis: EPA finds that Oregon's SIP includes specific
provisions for consult